BIOCATALYSIS:

Application of enzymes in Organic Chemistry

Biocatalysis researchers at WITS (Prof Dean Brady, Prof Charles de Koning, Dr Amanda Rousseau, Dr Karl Rumbold and Dr Moira Bode) are seeking students interested in pursuing MSc or PhD degrees or a Post-Doctoral study.  Successful applicants will work in multi-disciplinary projects towards the synthesis of biologically active or commercially useful compounds.

Post-Doc bursary of R180 – R200k p.a.

PhD bursaries of R60 - R100k p.a.

MSc bursaries of R40 – R70 p.a.

South African nationals or permanent residents will receive priority.

This research is supported by the DST Biocatalysis initiative. Interested applicants please send a covering letter and a short CV, together with the names of two academic referees to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. All enquiries can also be directed to the above address or to 011 717 6745.

GENERAL MEETING

7^th November 2011

Minutes

1. Opening and Welcome

Prof Dorrington welcomed members to the Council meeting.  Rosemary introduced herself and announced AGM of Society, which occurs with the SASM Conference every 2 years.  She reemphasized that membership though include full ordinary members and student members, the former have voting rights, while latter do not.  However, student members were encouraged to participate in AGM.  Members were provided with minutes from AGM in 2009 and a copy of the Agenda.  Participants were asked to sign the attendance register.  Quorum noted since >25 full ordinary members were present.  Members were asked if they wished to add items to the Agenda.

1. Apologies

Karl Rumbold

Poove Reddy

1. Minutes of the previous meeting
2. Approval of minutes of previous AGM _ Prof Cowan and Prof. Albertyn.

1. Matters arising
   1. SASM 2009 Financials

-       Call for financial report of 2009 SASM Conference in Durban

-       No financial report since SASM did not carry cost of the conference.  Members approved.

1. SASM 2011
   1. Conference Report

-       392 attendees at conference

-       Wide student representation

-       14 of 23 tertiary institutions represented

-       Limited international delegates – financial

-       Prof Cowan noted the difficulty in raising funds, given the global economic situation.  R120 -140 000 raised by sponsorship.  Advised future conference organisers to budget carefully and approach sponsors early on.

-       Should break even, no profit or substantial loss anticipated.

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1. Student Prizes

-       3 student awards being awarded, Undergrad, Hons. And PhD, no Master’s prize.  A value of R1000 will be given.

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1. Student Travel awards and grants

-       Five R1500 travel awards will be awarded on merit.  Will be paid to the institutions, not the students themselves.  Remaining 18 applicants will receive R500, but again these will be given to the institutions, not students.

1. SASM Status Report
   1. Finances

Prof Suren Singh discussed financial report. Investment of R82 000

Cheque account R66 000

Income accrued from fees R40 000

Website income R10 000

SASM 2009 sponsors R8790

Inqaba Biotech and Whitehead Scientific R3000 each

Expenditure:

Meeting costs, website, SASM 2009 awards, SASM 2011, Bank Charges = R73839

Expenses accrued:

Website R5582

SASM Awards R12 000

Closing balance: R56 795.45

Prof. J. du Preez queried policy on whether SASM Conference accrues profit.  Prof. Dorrington replied that profits are shared with SASM since SASM provides seed money available to Conference organisers.  Ideally seed funding should be returned to Society coffers.

1. Membership

-       Membership has increased significantly from 2009, more than doubled.  Since 2009, increased number of ordinary full members and higher than student member numbers.

-       24 January 2011: 102 registered members

-       1 July 2011: 322 registered members

-       31 October 2011: 403 registered members

-       Comment was made regarding concern that student numbers might drop off in the future.  Measures should be implemented to ensure that growth is sustained.

1. Communications

-       Dr. H. Volschenk briefed AGM meeting on website implementation process.  Used to streamline membership registration and may have contributed to increased membership numbers.  Twitter, a social network site was used, limited success.  Facebook page will be set up to engage younger members.  Good tool to communicate with members.

-       Perks planned: community profile, host ads available for Microbiology positions either at universities, research institutions – accessible by all members

-       Discussion forum topics to foster microbiology interest.  Moderators will need to be appointed to assist with running this.  Postgrad students will be targeted.

-       Prof Dorrington raised idea of appointment of mentors who will be contactable via website to give advice to young students.

-       A vote of thanks raised to Karl Rumbold and Heinrich Volschenk for their efforts.

1. Membership and membership fees

-       Corporate and ordinary members R100 pa, Students R50 and affiliated members R50.

-       Prof Cowan proposed that full membership raised to R150.  Seconded.  Motioned carried.  Affiliated membership will be raised to R150 as well.  Student membership will remain at R50.

1. Election of new Council

-       12 members comprise Council

-       6 members of executive and 6 members who support executive.

-       2 members from Eastern Cape: Profs Dorrington and Okoh

-       2 members from KZN – Prof S. Singh and Dr. H.Y. Chenia

-       1 from Western Cape – Dr. H. Volschenk

-       1 from Gauteng – Dr. K. Rumbold

-       1 from Free State – Prof. Albertyn

-       Nominees to fill position: Prof. J. du Preez, Carlien Pohl-Albertyn, Emma Steenkamp and Marla Tuffin

President: Prof. A. Okoh

Vice President: Prof. K. Albertyn

Secretary: Dr. K. Rumbold

Treasurer: to be decided

Publications secretary: Dr. H. Volschenk

Medals Committee: Dr. H.Y. Chenia

Motion proposed, seconded and approved

10. Hosting of SASM 2013 Congress

-       Bid by WITS to host 2013 SASM Congress

-       Members approved

11. General

Prof. Ndip queried the reasons for universities in the North being poorly represented.  Exco promised to give this priority attention