Pace yourselves, Driver tells women academics

Networking: (From left) SAWISE chair Prof Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan with Prof Kathy Driver and SAWISE scholarship winner (2003) Thokozile Lewanika.

"Never be apologetic about who you are ON for having aspirations and ambitions," Dean of Science Professor Kathy Driver told a recent gathering of South African Women in Science and Engineering (SAWISE) members.

Driver was guest speaker at the SAWISE 2006 welcome and networking function.

Sharing some of her personal reflections, Driver encouraged the members to be all they could be, but cautioned them against spreading themselves too thin.

Having tackled her PhD later in life after bringing up two daughters, Driver said women faced many conflicting demands on their time and energy, and finding a balance was particularly difficult.

"Be careful as women as you make your choices. Pace yourself and keep your eye on the ball."

She also encouraged members to choose "supporting and sharing" networks.

The meeting also provided welcome news of SAWISE's Angus Scholarship holders. Thokozile Lewanika (molecular and cell biology), winner in 2003, was visiting Cape Town from the United Kingdom where she is doing a PhD. The 2004 scholarship recipient, Melinda Griffiths, won a scholarship to Cambridge, where she is reading towards an MPhil in bioscience enterprise.

The 2005 recipient is Kathryn Lannas, who is completing her BSc (honours) in botany, with a focus on ecology.