FIRST ANNUAL REPORT

1 APRIL 1998 - 31 MARCH 1999

Dr P W B Kruger
President

The South African Society of Professional Engineers (SPE) founded the Academy of Engineers under its aegis on 28 April 1992 with a membership of 24 fellows constituted in terms of the constitution of SPE. The motivation for the establishment of the Academy was stated as follows:

• Identification with the Profession Engineers establish successful careers in many walks of life – some with indistinct links to their training. The profession would gain greatly in stature if the range of operation of its eminent practitioners were perceptible.
• Role model for Young or Potential Engineers Eminent and thus successful members of our profession can provide an excellent example to inspire and encourage young persons and engineers.
• Provision of a Forum for Communication The ability of the profession to influence important policy in society depends on consensus within the profession and participation of their senior members of the profession in the initiative. A communication forum must be provided for exchange of experience, knowledge and information between eminent and senior engineers.

On 1 March 1995 the Academy of Engineers became independent of SPE, operating under its own constitution as an autonomous entity, within the framework of the transforming new South African engineering profession.

On 11 March 1997 the name of the Academy of Engineers was changed to the South African Academy of Engineering, to reflect greater inclusivity within the engineering industry in line with similar trends elsewhere in the world.

In view of the comprehensive South African political and social transformation process, the Academy, since its founding in 1992, had great sensitivity and awareness for the enormous challenge of relevance and credibility in the new dispensation. Apart from the difficulties to become acceptably representative of the South African population, the Academy as a body to influence policy-making on matters relating to engineering and technology, inter alia also needs the recognition of:

• decision-makers on public policy for engineering and technological development
• the currently restructuring South African engineering profession
• the Confederation of Academies of Science of South Africa (CASSA) consisting of
  • the Academy of Science of South Africa
  • the Royal Academy of Science of South Africa
  • die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns

The above challenges would best be met through independent affiliation with the restructured South African Engineering Association which is to serve as a unified body for all engineering institutions in South Africa. After several years of consultation throughout the profession, this unification has not been completed, but should be finalised towards the end of 1999. Once this new unified Engineering Society of South Africa (ESSA – the likely name) has been launched, the independent but associated South African Academy of Engineering can more readily perform its fruitful advisory role in the South African society.

For our Academy to move forward and to serve its purpose in a highly competitive environment
• it must not merely be an elite club
• it must grow in membership to ensure wider representation and credibility and must contribute meaningfully at national policy-making level
• through its local and international activities, the Academy must be seen to be acting positively and with influence so that it eventually qualifies for membership of the international Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS) and thereby share in international networking benefits.

The process of unification, as indicated above, has had the disconcerting effect that the South African Academy of Engineering had to remain rather inactive for a number of years. During the past year, however, EXCO decided that the time had come for the Academy to become more visible by
• updating and finalising Rules and Procedures as well as the existing draft Constitution in line with latest international practices
• becoming active on projects and professional relationships
• adding to our membership to achieve wider representation and critical mass for more efficient operation.

The following activities thus followed:
• The President of the Academy was mandated to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Academy as part of the ongoing process towards unification of the engineering profession initiated by SAVI. Members are urged to endeavour to influence the respective professional societies to support the process in the interest of engineering in South Africa.
• Proposals have been received for a significant number of new fellows to be added to the present 37 fellows of the Academy. These will be duly processed and submitted to the AGM in May 1999.
• The President attended the Annual General Meeting of the Australian Academy of Engineering and Technological Sciences in Perth during November 1998, at their invitation. This included attending their National Symposium on Technology – Australia’s Future : New Technology for Traditional Industry.
• Agreement was reached at the meeting in Perth to conduct a joint symposium in South Africa during 1999 on the highly relevant subject of Public Private Partnerships. This high level tripartite international symposium is now planned to take place in Pretoria on 1–2 November 1999, under the auspices of the two Academies and also the South African Civil Engineering Advisory Council. The aim is to set a benchmark by top level speakers and delegates for further ongoing communication and development on the subject.
• The nomination document for the Walter Ahlströhm Prize of the Finnish Academy has been referred to the deans of engineering faculties (i.e. Cape Town, Stellenbosch, RAU, Wits, Pretoria) and certain major engineering corporations (i.e. Eskom, Alufsaf, Altron, Spoornet, etc.)
• Information on engineering degree curriculum enrichment with non-engineering courses, found to be highly successful in Australia, was distributed to all deans of engineering in South Africa.
• At a Regional Meeting of the Academy, fellows of the Western Cape kindly offered to update the draft Constitution under the leadership of fellow Bob St Leger. The new document will be presented to EXCO on 25 May 1999.
• Discussions were held with Dr Rein Arndt of the Academy of Science of South Africa as well as the Chairman of CASSA, Prof Wieland Geevers, to establish common ground for future activities. Further discussions will have to follow before clear direction is obtained on this vital relationship.
• Fellow Van Duuren reported that he had embarked on a project of biographies of engineers who had served at cabinet level in governments worldwide. He will submit an outline of the project for information and consideration in due course.

Although the Academy’s finances are in a healthy state, the success of future programmes and projects cannot be financed by the fellows’ annual contributions only. Other sources will have to be found such as income from projects and sponsors or public and/or private donations. The aim should also be to establish a permanent secretariat jointly with CASSA or the new ESSA. In this new phase of the South African Academy of Engineering, we have to be seen to give practical meaning to our Constitution. We have to promote excellence in the science and application of engineering for the benefit of all members of the South African society, as elucidated in our AIMS AND OBJECTIVES of the updated Constitution.

This is certainly a great cause on a continent in dire need of improving quality of life. The application of engineering and technology has a major role to play in development locally, as is happening in winner countries globally. May our Academy in the new millenium before us excel in adding value through its role in the creation of prosperity in our part of the world.