THE NEW ACT - WHAT HAS CHANGED?
Press Releases
From “Science Postal”: Newsletter (Nov 2003) of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP)
THE NEW ACT - WHAT HAS CHANGED?
Prof PJJG MARAIS
Pr. Sci. Nat. (Vice President)
The new Natural Science Professions Bill was accepted by Parliament on the 2nd September 2003. This new Bill brings about a number of changes for the Natural Science Profession.
The first and perhaps most significant change is the composition and election of Council. In the past, a number of “Learned Societies” who were listed in section 3 of Act No 106 of 1993 each nominated one person to represent them on Council. In addition, there were a number of Ministerial representatives, members representing the CTP, the CUP (SAUVCA) and the public service.
The new Council have persons nominated by what will now be known as the “Voluntary Associations”, persons nominated by the State, and most important, persons nominated by the public. This will hopefully ensure a more representative Council in terms of its own registered members, other stakeholders such as the public and the demographics of the country.
The second important change is to bring SACNASP into line with new developments within Higher Education. As specified in the Bill, SACNASP may “perform such functions within the framework of the SA Qualifications Authority Act and the Higher Education Act as may be required by those Acts”, to “determine competency standards for the purpose of registration and regarding matters relevant to education in the natural sciences.” As a result of this, SACNASP will now become involved, in partnership with the CHE and the HEQC, in the evaluation and accreditation process of training programmes in the natural sciences.
The third important change is in the categories of registration. The category for Technologists will now fall away. This is seen as a very significant change as Technikon qualifications can now be accepted for registration as Professional Natural Scientists, provided that these qualifications meet the requirements which will be laid down by the new Council. A new category for “Certificated Natural Scientists” has been added to accommodate individuals with qualifications that do not meet the requirements as Professional Natural Scientist or Candidate Natural Scientists. In future, a “Natural Scientist-In-Training” will be known as a “Candidate Natural Scientist”.
The fourth important change is the fact that registration is no longer an option for persons wishing to practice as consultants. The Bill clearly states in Section 20 that “only individuals registered may practice in a consultancy capacity”. The Bill makes provision for the Council, in consultation with the voluntary associations, to identify the type of natural scientific work that may be done by registered persons. It further states very clearly that a person, who is NOT registered in terms of this Act, may not perform any kind of work identified for registered persons, or use the name or any title referred to in the Bill.
The fifth important change is the introduction of conditions for renewal of registration. It will be up to the registered members to apply to council for the renewal of registration. Council may impose conditions to ensure that members continue to practise as Professional Natural Scientists and continue to grow in their field of expertise. Some form of “Continuous Professional Development” (CPD) will have to be introduced.
The new Bill is the first step in the transformation process of the Natural Scientific Professions. Now, for the first time, it will be compulsory for scientists to register if they wish to practice as true professionals. Hopefully more scientists will register to enable the Council to, amongst other things, fulfil its obligations with regard to the education and training of future natural scientists. In this regard, SACNASP will rely on its registered members to make themselves available to assist with the evaluation of university and technikon programmes and to determine competency standards for the purpose of registration.
I would like to encourage all scientists to not only register but to get involved in the affairs of SACNAPS. In the words of a famous US President, it is not what the profession can do for you, it is a question of what can you do for your profession.
