Cape Town, as well as the rest of South Africa, boasts some of the finest higher education universities in the world. The Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC) aims to establish the Western Cape as a leader in higher education. Its member universities of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape have faculties for Economic and Management Sciences, Engineering and Natural Sciences including departments such as oceanography, which could lead to careers related to Antarctica.
In addition to this many South African tertiary research and education facilities offer qualifications in specific Antarctica-related fields.
These include:
Many opportunities exist for education that is specifically focused on Antarctica. Testament to this is the University of Canterbury in New Zealand that has a Centre for Antarctic Studies and Research and offers a post graduate course in Antarctic studies. It is inspiring to note that projects related to Antarctica are standard items on the curriculum of local schools in New Zealand.
International Polar Foundation (IPF)
This foundation was formed in Belgium in 2002, with the aim of creating a bridge between science and society, with a strong focus on polar and climate science.
Negotiations are underway for IPF to build what will be know as the Polaris Climate Change Observatory in Cape Town. (Ultimately there will be three of these observatories, the other two in Brussels and Abu Dhabi.) The Polaris will have permanent and temporary exhibitions to educate visitors about the climate, focusing on the research in the Antarctic.
The International Polar Foundation presented the Polaris project to the City of Cape Town in March 2010. They are encouraged by the support they’ve received and are currently looking at suitable locations in the city centre.
Another of the IPF’s education-based projects in development is the Class Zero Emission. This will take the form of a mobile service able to visit all schools in the Cape, and ultimately the country. Half day workshop with children will explain why and how they need to react think and act about the issues of climate change, and resulting issues such as agriculture and transport. The class is interactive with the children getting involved in experiments to do with temperature change, and gives children the opportunity to consider related careers.
The Pieter Stoker SANAP Centre
The purpose of this interactive science centre for Capetonians, tourists and learners is to educate and stimulate interest in the scientific aspects of Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean. It has recently been opened, is being developed and will in future be expanded with more exhibits and facilities. The centre hosts an open day once a year which includes tours on the SA Agulhas, exhibitions and talks by researchers. It is used regularly by visiting school groups and offers the visiting scholars the opportunity of learning about the history and research, engaging in the interactive displays, watching DVDs and absorbing knowledge in a stimulating environment.
MTN Sciencentre
The MTN Sciencentre has been actively involved in promoting public awareness of Antarctica and South Africa's involvement in the Antarctic since 2006. Each year it put together a mini-exhibition to show visitors what life on the frozen continent is like. The Sciencentre also hosted talks by scientists and other personnel who have been to the Antarctic, in both the Western and Northern Cape. In 2007 it partnered with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to host an open day on the SA Agulhas. This partnership has continued and the 4th open day was held in July 2010, and attracted more than 600 visitors. During National Science Week 2010, the Sciencentre once again partnered with the South African National Antarctic Programme to host school groups at the Pieter Stoker SANAP centre. The learners explored the opportunities that the SANAP has to offer, and took part in hands-on ice experiments. The partnership between SANAP and the MTN Sciencentre (soon to become the Cape Town Science Centre) is set to continue in the future, to increase the awareness of Antarctica, and South Africa's involvement in science and research on the southernmost continent.
Percy FitzPatrick
Institute of African Ornithology
The Percy FitzPatrick Institute is located at the University of Cape Town. It is committed to developing a greater understanding of biological resources, through the training of scientists and the pursuit of primary research, from evolutionary ecology to conservation biology.
Animal Demography Unit
The Animal Demography Unit (formerly the Avian Demography Unit), or ADU, is a research unit of the University of Cape Town. The unit contributes to the understanding of animal populations, especially population dynamics, and thus provides input to their conservation.
Marine and Coastal Management (M&CM)
Fisheries in South Africa fall under the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. M&CM have a research component, formerly known as the Sea Fisheries Research Institute.
Tel: 021 402 3098