Collinson swoops award at Science Oscars

ENDANGERED Wildlife Trust (EWT) team member Wendy Collinson has claimed the TW Kambule Emerging Researcher award at the National Science and Technology (NSTF) awards.

The NSTF-South32 Awards gala dinner held in Gauteng last week celebrated the most outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology (SET), and innovation.

This is the largest SET and innovation awards in South Africa and are known as the “Science Oscars” presented by Science and Technology Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, who is the event’s patron.

The EWT has worked tirelessly for over 45 years to save wildlife and habitats, with a team of field-based specialists spread across southern and East Africa.

Collinson scooped the award for her work in establishing and running the EWT’s wildlife and roads project, which aims to reduce the negative impacts of transport infrastructure on wildlife. “It is an honour to be nominated, it is an outstanding achievement to reach the finals and an exceptional milestone and celebration of excellence to win one of these awards,” Collinson said.

The EWT was also recognised as a finalist in the NSTF-GreenMatter Award category for its contribution to the Groen Sebenza Initiative, aimed at developing skills and bridging the gap between education and job opportunities in the biodiversity sector, which was initiated by the Environmental Affairs Department in 2013.

“Through our partnerships with academic institutions, we ensure that our scientific understanding is innovative and contributes towards finding solutions to some of the challenges we face in conservation.

“Through initiatives like Groen Sebenza, we safeguard our conservation champions of the future and provide opportunities to expand their knowledge, and learn from the best.”