| EVENT | DATE | TIME | VENUE | TARGET AUDIENCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Ceremony & Welcome Reception | Monday 06 July | 18:00 - 22:00 | JG Hall; Student Centre | Open to all conference delegates and invited guests |
|
Special Invited Talk: Prof Malik Maaza |
Tuesday 07 July | 17:30 - 18:30 | Great Hall, Lecture Venue 1 | Open to all conference delegates, UWC staff and students |
|
WiPiSA Lunch |
Wednesday 08 July |
12:40 - 13:40 |
ResLife Centre |
Open to the public and all delegates |
|
SAASTE Relaunch |
Wednesday 08 July |
17:15 for 17:30 |
Richard van der Ross Resource Centre, Education Buildings |
Science and tech teachers, WCED subject advisors, Senior Curriculum Planners, university partners and science education stakeholders |
|
Science in the Home Public Event |
Wednesday 08 July |
18:00 - 22:00 |
JG Hall |
Open to the public and all delegates |
|
Side Event: Physics in Industry Day |
Thursday 09 July |
09:30 - 13:40 |
Venue TBD |
Open to all conference delegate, UWC staff, & invited guests |
|
Side Event: Southern Africa Physics Network (SAPhysNet) Forum Day |
Friday 10 July |
09:30 - 13:40 |
Venue TBD |
Open to all conference delegate, UWC staff, & invited guests |
|
Gala Dinner & Student Award Ceremony |
Friday 10 July |
18:00 - 22:30 |
Good Hope Suites, GrandWest Casino |
Open to conference delegates & invited guests |
|
Science in the Home Public and Learner Engagement Day |
Saturday 11 July |
Two Sessions: 08:30 - 11:30 & 13:30 - 16:30 |
JG Hall |
Open to the public, school learners, educators, and all delegates |
Opening Ceremony & Welcome Reception
Monday 06 July; 18:00 - 22:00; Jakes Gerwel Hall & Student Centre
Open to all conference delegates and invited guests
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Special Invited Talk: Prof Malik Maaza
Monday 07 July; 17:30 - 18:30; Great Hall Lecture Venue 1
Open to all conference delegates, UWC staff and students
Prof. M. Maaza is the current incumbent, in South Africa, of the UNESCO UNISA- ITLABSNRF Africa Chair in Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies. He is a joint staff of the University of South Africa and the National Research Foundation of South Africa. His h-index is about 114 and i10=623, with total citations above 42,000. He is a fellow of various Academies, including the European Academy of Arts & Sciences, the African Academy of Science as well as the National Academy of Science of India, the Islamic Academy of Sciences & the Royal Society of Chemistry-London. Prof. M. Maaza has been bestowed several awards & accolades including the Oppenheimer award, the Galileo-Galilei award by the International Commission for Optics (ICO), and the African Union Nkwame Nkrumah award for Excellence in Science & Technology & as well as the J. Vasconcelos award for education by the World Cultural Council-Hong Kong in addition to the recent International Khawarizmi award and the International Union for Pure & Applied Physics (IUPAP) award.
Special Invited Talk; 07 July; 17:30 - 18:30; Great Hall Lecture Venue 1
Room Temperature Quantum Mechanics Peculiarities in Nanoscale Systems & their potential technological applications towards SDGs
The intrinsic surface and interface properties of nanoscale systems are correlated to their surface to volume ratio, surface atomic coordination, electron and phonon confinement, and other factors. Such shape & size dependent features are established to give a birth to peculiar quantum mechanics responses. Among such, one could mention; (i) the Fermi Total reflection of cold neutron wave-packet & their trapping within the picosecond time regime, (ii) the Anderson Infrared light localization in semidisordered Carbon Nanotubes & lasing in semi-disordered nanomaterials, (iii) the size dependent bandgap tunability in Mott transition Semiconductor- Metallic phase transition systems, (iv) the relativistic Dirac “S” orbitals contraction & room temperature solid mercury, and last but not least (v) the enhanced thermal conductivity of nanofluids conceptualized by the Father of electromagnetism, James Clerk Maxwell.
This contribution reports on the theoretical & experimental observations of the above-mentioned unusual quantum mechanics governed peculiar phenomena. Likewise, their potential technological applications will be highlighted.
WiPiSA Lunch
Wednesday 08 July; 12:40 - 13:40; ResLife Hall
Open to the public and all delegates
We warmly invite you to the WiPiSA Lunch 2026 - a dedicated space for women in physics across South Africa to connect, share, and celebrate together.
Held during the SAIP2026 conference at the University of the Western Cape, this year's lunch promises more than just a meal. We have activities lined up to spark conversation, surface collaboration opportunities, and - yes - give away a few spot prizes.
This event is open to all. We especially encourage women in physics to attend, and warmly welcome men who support the mission of WiPiSA to join us too.
Register here: https://forms.gle/cZdsg4kTfPDF87xF9
Registration closes Friday, 3 July 2026 at 16:00 - please sign up before then so we can plan accordingly.
No preparation is needed and there are no extra costs. Just come as you are.
Whether you are a student attending your first SAIP or a seasoned researcher, this lunch is for you. We look forward to seeing you there.
SAASTE Relaunch
Wednesday 08 July; 17:15 for 17:30; Richard van der Ross Resource Centre, Education Buildings
Open to science and tech teachers, WCED subjectadvisors, Senior Curriculum Planners, university partners and science education stakeholders
Science in the Home Public Event
Wednesday 08 July; 18:00 - 22:00; JG Hall
Open to the public and all delegates
Step into a world of discovery at the Science in the Home event hosted at the University of the Western Cape! Experience a thrilling live science show, explore the cosmos in a mobile planetarium, and learn how to turn everyday recyclable materials into fascinating household experiments. Packed with interactive, fun activities for all ages, this event brings the wonders of science straight into your daily life.
Join us on Wednesday evening, 8 July 2026, for a special night edition featuring stargazing through telescopes alongside a lineup of fun, interactive activities.
If you, your family or friends would like to join us for the evening's event, feel free to register here: [FORM TO SIGN-UP]
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Side Event: Physics in Industry Day
Thursday 09 July; 09:30 - 13:40; Venue TBD
Open to all conference delegate, UWC staff, & invited guests
The SAIP2026 Physics in Industry Day is a flagship initiative designed to bridge the gap between academia and the energy sector, fostering meaningful collaboration to address South Africa’s national development goals. Building on the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) and the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC), this event brings together researchers, industry professionals, engineers, and policymakers under the theme "Physics for the Just Energy Transition." The symposium provides a dynamic platform to explore how physics can offer innovative solutions to critical energy challenges—ranging from petroleum and gas to renewable energy and hydrogen technologies—while creating new pathways for research, student development, and professional collaboration.
Open to all conference delegates, this focused industry-academia symposium aims to translate real-world operational challenges into physics-driven research questions. The programme will feature insights from industry leaders, interdisciplinary panel discussions, and the introduction of a SANPC–SAIP Physics Challenge Brief to guide future postgraduate research and innovation. By exposing physicists and students to industry workflows and career opportunities, the Physics in Industry Day serves as a vital catalyst for aligning scientific expertise with the requirements of the Just Energy Transition and fostering long-term, sustainable partnerships that support South Africa’s energy security.
Side Event: Southern Africa Physics Network (SAPhysNet) Forum Day
Friday 10 July; 09:30 - 13:40; Venue TBD
Open to all conference delegate, UWC staff, & invited guests
The Southern Africa Physics Network (SAPhysNet) is a collaborative initiative dedicated to strengthening human capital development and research capacity in physics across the SADC region. By serving as a unified platform, SAPhysNet advances the role of physics in addressing critical developmental challenges—such as energy, water management, and healthcare—while fostering stronger regional research and teaching partnerships. This year marks a momentous occasion for the network, as the SAPhysNet Forum Day at SAIP2026 will celebrate the official launch of the network, as well as highlight its co-hosting role for the upcoming IUPAP General Assembly and the International Conference on Physics (ICP2027).
The Forum Day will serve as a vital progress-update and report-back session for the network. The programme will feature an overview of the ongoing SAPhysNet strategy, including a presentation of regional survey results aimed at shaping a SADC-wide Physics Whitepaper, and provide a platform for stakeholders to contribute to the evolving SAPhysNet constitution. In addition to these strategic discussions, we are issuing a formal call for participation in several exciting initiatives, including the official SAPhysNet logo competition and the "Physics in My Village" photo competition. Open to all conference delegates, this forum is a key opportunity to participate in defining the future of collaborative physics research and education in Southern Africa.
Gala Dinner & Student Award Ceremony
Friday 10 July
18:00 - 22:30; Good Hope Suites, GrandWest Casino
Open to all conference delegates (selected during conference registration) & invited guests
*Transport will be provided free of charge to and from UWC for the event
Science in the Home Public and Learner Engagement Day
Saturday 08 July; 08:30 - 11:30 & 13:30 - 16:30; JG Hall
Open to the public, school learners, educators, and all delegates
Step into a world of discovery at the Science in the Home event hosted at the University of the Western Cape! Experience a thrilling live science show, explore the cosmos in a mobile planetarium, and learn how to turn everyday recyclable materials into fascinating household experiments. Packed with interactive, fun activities for all ages, this event brings the wonders of science straight into your daily life.
Bring the whole family on Saturday, 11 July 2026, for the full, action-packed programme, filled with science shows, experiments, and non-stop discovery. On Saturday you will be able to choose between a morning or afternoon session (repeats of each other).
If you, your family or friends would like to join us for either of the sessions's event, feel free to register here: [FORM TO SIGN-UP]
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