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NITheCS Roadshow connects with Western Cape community
The NITheCS Roadshow continued at the University of Cape Town (UCT) on 2 September 2026 with the NITheCS Western Cape Community Visit, which brought together Associates, students and researchers from across the node. It was the third event in the national roadshow series, following earlier engagements in the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal nodes.
Hosted in the Duncan Elliott Seminar Room at UCT, the event provided an opportunity for the NITheCS leadership to engage directly with members of the Western Cape node, share institutional and funding updates, and learn more about research being conducted across the region.
Nathan Sassman, Prof Francesco Petruccione and A/Prof Will Horowitz
A/Prof W A Horowitz, Head of the NITheCS Western Cape node, welcomed participants. Nathan Sassman, Director of Applied Research, Innovation and Collaboration at the National Research Foundation (NRF), then presented an overview of the national research funding landscape.
NITheCS Director Prof Francesco Petruccione delivered the Director’s Address, highlighting the Institute’s work and its role in strengthening the theoretical and computational sciences across South Africa. A/Prof Horowitz followed with an overview of the Western Cape node and its activities.
A central feature of the programme was the Associates’ Research Showcase, which demonstrated the breadth of expertise represented within the node. Contributors included Prof Jeff Murugan; Dr Ryan Sweke, Branch Head of AIMS; Prof Samuel Egieyeh; Prof Nico Orce, Branch Head of the University of the Western Cape; Dr Marisa Geyer; and Prof Tom Farrar, Branch Head of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
A moderated discussion gave attendees an opportunity to raise questions, exchange ideas and explore ways of strengthening participation and collaboration within the Western Cape node.
The afternoon concluded with refreshments and informal networking, allowing attendees to continue conversations and establish new connections.
Through its national roadshow, NITheCS is visiting its nodes to deepen engagement with its community and increase awareness of the Institute’s activities and opportunities among Associates and students throughout the country.
