Unisa 2008 Research Report - University of South Africa

C E N T R E S , I N S T I T U T E S
A N D b U R E AU X
ReseaRch centRe of
excellence: centRe foR
computational Relativity,
astRophysics and
cosmology | cRac
South Africa has world class facilities for
observing the cosmos, namely SAlT (Southern
African large Telescope) and radio telescope
kAT (karoo Array Telescope). Paradigm shifts
in our understanding of the Universe of course
require observational data as input, but it is the
processing of data into new theoretical models
that has provided the real scientific breakthroughs.
The development of new observational
facilities, both existing and proposed, has
led to a worldwide resurgence of interest in
relativity, astrophysics and cosmology, and in
particular in those areas that will help gain
insights at the interface between theory and
experiment.
Accordingly, Unisa established its first Research
Centre of Excellence, namely the Centre for
Computational Relativity, Astrophysics and Cosmology
(CRAC), within the Department of
Mathematical Sciences. The centre’s research
projects include work on gravitational radiation
calculations, black holes, neutron stars, masers,
Prof. Nigel Bishop
Director of CRAC
planetary nebulae, active galactic nuclei,
eclipsing binary stars, galactic dust and Brane
cosmology. The centre has its own parallel
computing cluster, titan. Although Unisa does
have an observatory, most observational work
is carried out at the national facilities in Sutherland,
and also internationally, for example at
the Very large Array in the USA. CRAC has
strong international links and has hosted visitors
from Australia, Germany, Russia and the
USA. The centre is also involved in collaborative
research projects with various institutions
nationally, as well as internationally in China,
Germany, Spain, the Uk and the USA.
centRe foR afRican
Renaissance studies | caRs
Unisa believes it is important to give intellectual
leadership to the African Renaissance as
to reposition Africa in the world system and
address the marginalised position of the continent,
its people and descendants wherever they
may be. This is the purpose of the Centre for
African Renaissance Studies (CARS), a research
and teaching unit establishment in mid-2003.
What sets CARS apart is its multi-, inter- and
transdisciplinary approach to African Renaissance
studies. Rather than taking a narrow,
single discipline, the centre cuts across conventional
boundaries by embracing a broad
spectrum of disciplines, including architecture,
languages, law, sciences, technology, human
rights, linguistics, culture political economy and
governance.
Although catering mainly for master’s and
doctoral students, CARS also offers a range of
short courses, diplomas and certificates as well
as skills development and capacity building for
post-conflict societies in African countries such
as Southern Sudan. These emphasise areas of
strategic importance for taking the African
Renaissance forward, such as media communications
and the African Renaissance, community
leadership and development, women and
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