Western Cape RSC/SACI 2025 Young Chemists' Symposium
On Thursday, 10 July, the Western Cape RSC/SACI 2025 Young Chemists' Symposium took place at Stellenbosch University. This annual gathering aims to provide postgraduate students in the chemical sciences with a platform to meet their peers, present their research, and engage in fruitful discussions with colleagues from other institutions.
Over 140 postgraduates from Stellenbosch University (SU), the University of Cape Town (UCT), the University of the Western Cape (UWC), and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) attended this event. The symposium was successfully organized by a dedicated group of postgraduate students from these institutions: Ilanie Wessels and Michael-Phillip Smith (SU), Nicole Teixeira and Tara Davids (UCT), Eldon Pierre Damon and Tatum Matthews (UWC), and Sapokazi Timakwe (CPUT).
The morning session featured Masters’ oral presentations and flash talks. After a tea break, a panel discussion was held. This discussion featured professionals with varying experience in academia and industry including Ms Laa-iqa Rylands from UCT, Dr Dorcas Zide from CPUT, Prof Masikana Mdleleni from the PetroSA Synthetic Fuels Innovation Centre at UWC, and Ms Joan Meyer a Technical R&D Manager at CGI. The session inspired lively audience engagement and provided valuable insights and motivation for pursuing a chemical career in industry.
The midday session included PhD oral and flash talk presentations, showcasing advanced research work by doctoral candidates across the various institutions. This session was followed by the poster session and judging, where attendees had the opportunity to discuss their research posters and network with peers and exhibitors. The judges were: Dr Marwaan Rylands (UCT), Prof. Bert Klumperman (SU), Dr Siobhan Brigg (UWC), and Dr Zondi Nate (CPUT).
The symposium concluded with a closing ceremony, marking the end of another successful and well-attended event. Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive. The organizing committee did a superb job, taking on the challenge of coordinating every aspect of the event. From issuing the calls for abstracts and scheduling the posters and presentations, to organizing the catering and ensuring the venues were perfectly set up, their meticulous planning and execution ensured a seamless and engaging experience for all attendees.
Prize Winners:
• Best MSc Oral presentation: Reese Tuck (SU)
• Best MSc Flash Talk presentation: Nicole Munnik (SU)
• Best PhD Oral presentation: Alexandra Volkwyn (SU)
• Best PhD Flash presentation: Ghannish Soogary (UCT)
• Best Poster presentation: Lesedi Mosadi (SU)
• Best Presenter (Student’s Choice): Alexandra Volkwyn (SU)
The organising committee extend their heartfelt gratitude to their generous sponsors: SACI, the RSC, Reflecta Laboratory Supplies, Microsep, Apex Scientific, Lasec and the H3D foundation. A special thanks to Prof. Denzil Beukes (SACI), Laila Smith (SACI), Prof. Edith Beukes (SACI), and Assoc. Prof. David Gammon (RSC) and Dr Megan Mathews (SU). Their support was instrumental in making this event a success.
Well done to all who contributed to and participated in this remarkable event!
