DOnations & Partners

The South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) is a non-profit, voluntary and professional physics society that was established in 1955.  In order to implement its Vision of being The voice of physics in South Africa, SAIP implements several projects through generous support from stakeholders in the form of grants, donations and partnerships.

As physics is a basic science crucial to the development of a knowledge-based economy, and acts as a lead science with the fundamental physics research of today becoming the technology of tomorrow, the SAIP performs the pivotal role of coordinating the network of physicists and promoting the study and applications of physics. It also promotes physics research collaborations, advises the government on science policy, monitors the quality standards of physics training and fosters the growth of physics in South Africa. Thus, the SAIP ensures that South Africa maintains a robust physics environment capable of supporting a knowledge-based economy. It does this via a number of programmes and projects.

Improving Physics Education in SA

The SAIP’s current strategic focus is on improving the education pipeline through projects such as:

  • Improving the quality and skills of Physics teachers in South Africa to improve the quality of entering graduates
  • Adoption of BSc Physics Benchmark Statement
  • Establishment of a National Physics Teaching and Learning Platform
  •  Attracting and retaining undergraduates in physics to sustain the PhD pipeline
  • Programmes for enhancing Physics teaching at university level, i.e. improvement of undergraduate Physics instruction at                           institutions of higher learning
  •  South African Physics Olympiad

Other projects include:

  • Promoting Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Physics in Industry
  • Outreach and public understanding of Physics
  • Promoting Women in Physics in South Africa

Teacher Development Focus

All Science Engineering and Technology (SET) professionals such as engineers, biomedical scientists, medical professionals and computer scientists require physics skills. Hence, if South Africa needs to grow the pool of SET manpower we need to develop a big pool of high school learners with a background in physics in order to prepare them for further studies in various science, engineering and technology disciplines. The best way to develop this pool is through empowering teachers, this will have a big multiplier effect. 

Improving the skills for teachers in Mathematics and Physical Sciences will contribute to better teaching skills leading to high pass rates in sciences and an increase in Human Capital with Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) skills required for key global science projects such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). Since 2013, the SAIP in collaboration with partners such as the Institute of Physics UK, The British High Commission and University of Johannesburg have been involved in a Science Teacher Development project at the UJ Soweto Science.

Testimonials on SAIP Impact

The SAIP has worked with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) as its anchor supporter over many years. (Link)

Department of Science and Technology – South Africa

SAIP has worked with the Vhembe District in Limpopo Province on Teacher Development Programme. (Link)

Department of Education – Vhembe District

How to Donate & Partner
SAIP Physics for Development Foundation PBO Reference No. 930063327
SAIP SARS P PBO
Account Name
SAIP Physics for Development Foundation Trust
Bank
Standard Bank
Account Type
Cheque
Account number
10107534191
Branch
Lynwood Ridge
Branch Code
01244515
SWIFT CODE
SBZAZAJ