Fitz News in Africa - Birds & Birding: "50th Anniversary: 1960 - 2010: Celebrating 50 years of excellence in research, postgraduate studies and public awareness"

"The Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town was founded in 1960 through the vision and drive

of Cecily Niven, daughter of Sir Percy FitzPatrick of Jock of the Bushveld fame, after whom the Institute is named. Cecily passed away in 1992, but her Institute continues to go from strength to strength. It is the only ornithological research institute in the southern hemisphere, and one of only a handful in the world."

Since its formation, the Institute has passed a number of significant milestones:

Since its formation, the Institute has passed a number of significant milestones:

• 1989: Ornithology identified as the most internationally competitive scientific discipline in South Africa, ranking third equal in the world.
• 1992: Introduced a taught MSc course in Conservation Biology. This course has graduated more than 200 students from all over the world and some 85% of its graduates are now employed in the field of conservation.
• 2004: Awarded the prestigious status of one of only six ‘Centres of Excellence in Science and Technology’ by the South African Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation
• 2006: Appointment of the Pola Pasvolsky Chair in Conservation Biology, made possible by a generous private endowment left to the Institute.
• 2008: Research in Conservation Science at UCT identified as the most internationally significant of any southern hemisphere university, ranking equal with the fourth-rated university in North America.

The Institute’s proud record of research, teaching and public awareness of science was built over 50 years of hard work and strategic planning. Whilst a 50th Anniversary was a time to reflect and celebrate, it was also a time to look to the future and plan how we can raise our achievements to even higher levels. Securing a sustainable future in the face of escalating global change will require innovative approaches to conserving biodiversity.

"During 2010, the Institute is planning a number of activities with the dual aims of increasing the public profile of its activities and consolidating its financial security. The fund-raising activities have some specific objectives linked to teaching and research, key among which is to establish a fund for the provision of bursaries for African students who will further Africa’s ability to conserve its biodiversity.

"Students are an integral part of any research activity and contribute directly to the country’s intellectual capital and problem-solving capacity. The Institute wishes to place itself in a position whereby we will not be forced to turn away first-class students because of a lack of such funding. We hope to do this by establishing a capital fund of at least R5 million, the income from which will fund three or more bursaries annually. This is an ambitious target to achieve in a single year, but with your support it can be done."

[From: PFIAO 2009. News from the Percy FitzPatrick Institute: 50th Anniversary: 1960 - 2010: Celebrating 50 years of excellence in research, postgraduate studies and public awareness. Africa - Birds & Birding 14(5):22]

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