ASSAf Distinguished Visiting Scholar (DVS) Programme 2024/25

The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in partnership with Prof Caradee Wright (as National Host) from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), hosted Prof Kalpana Balakrishnan on 03 - 14 March 2025 for the 2024/25 DVS Programme. Prof Balakrishnan delivered a series of lectures and trainings under the theme “Air Pollution, Climate and Human Health”, with emphasis on health equity considerations in low and middle income countries (LMICs). The itinerary of her visit spun across various institutions in three Provinces: University of Johannesburg (UJ), University of Pretoria (UP), University of the Western Cape (UWC), Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), University of Cape Town (UCT, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT). Prof Balakrishnan was presented with a certificate of participation by Prof Himla Soodyall on behalf of the Academy, in recognition of her contribution. Prof Balakrishnan is the Dean of Research and Director for the WHO Collaborating Center for Occupational and Environmental Health at the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), Chennai, India. A renowned global expert in environmental health, she plays an active role in various national and international technical review committees focused on tackling air quality, climate, health, and energy challenges in developing countries. The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) annually invites one or more distinguished scholars from abroad to present lectures at various higher education institutions around the country. The scholars are internationally prominent academics who are inspirational speakers and usually with an ability to bridge the divides between disciplines. The Distinguished Visiting Scholars’ Programme advances one of the Academy’s strategic goals, viz. the promotion of innovation and scholarly activity. Through interaction with distinguished individual scholars from around the world, ASSAf aims to enrich and stimulate research endeavours at South African higher education and research institutions. Scholars from the humanities disciplines are invited in alternate years.