UCT Students Attend Engaging ACS on Campus Event at Stellenbosch University

On Monday, 30 September 2024, a group of UCT chemistry postgraduate students travelled to Stellenbosch University for the ACS on Campus event. This free, half-day gathering, hosted by Stellenbosch University and the American Chemical Society (ACS), provided attendees with valuable resources to support their scientific careers. Open to all science students and researchers, the event offered personalized participation certificates and access to ACS tools for professional growth.

The highlight of the event was a keynote address on drug discovery by Prof. Kelly Chibale, Director of H3D and Editor-in-Chief of ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters. His inspiring talk shared the background and history of how H3D was established, emphasizing that “you never walk alone” and that collaboration is key to success. Prof. Chibale’s insightful presentation offered a glimpse into the cutting-edge world of drug discovery.

Another key moment was A/Prof. Anwar Jardine’s presentation on green chemistry. As Head of UCT’s Chemistry Department, his discussion on sustainable chemistry, alongside reflections on his academic journey, captivated the audience.

Participants also learned about scholarly publishing from prominent editors like Prof. Cara Schwarz (University of Stellenbosch) and Prof. Dean Brady (University of Witwatersrand), and explored ACS’s Read and Publish model, the SciFinder Discovery Platform, and other resources available to help their academic development.

A big thank you to all UCT postgraduate students who made the trip on a wet and cloudy morning. Special thanks to ACS and Stellenbosch University for hosting an inspiring and informative event, which provided a valuable opportunity to learn and network.