Introductory Course in Multivariate Analysis
This workshop from 16-20 August 2010 will be hosted at the IWBT and presented by prof Thomas Skov from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Please click here for information if you are from outside the Stellenbosch University
Please click here for information if you are a staffmember or student from the Stellenbosch University

Article published
Paul S.O. 2009
Chemometrics in South Africa and the development of the South African Chemometrics Society
Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems 97 (1):104-109.
Click here for the PDF version of the article

Background

During November 2005 a Chemometrics Workshop organized by Dr Hélène Nieuwoudt, Institute of Wine and Biotechnology, Stellenbosch University , and presented by Prof Kim Esbensen, Aalborg University, Denmark, took place at Stellenbosch University. This splendidly presented and very well received workshop had participants not only from Stellenbosch and Cape Town , but also from the Gauteng area – ranging from agricultural and food scientists to industrialists to academics. A follow-up workshop at Stellenbosch University, and one in Pretoria, took place; at that stage it was found that interests in Chemometrics, and the wish continue with common activities, as well as with collaborations, warranted the founding of the South African Chemometrics Society.

The inauguration meeting took place in July 2006. A committee was established, administrative details were organized, and collaborative workshops presented by eminent Chemometricians are being enjoyed: besides Kim Esbensen, there have been visits by Tormod Naes, Paul Geladi, and Tom Lillhonga, who have been interacting with research groups at Stellenbosch University.

December 2008 saw the first international symposium hosted by SACS in partnership with the IWBT, at Stellenbosch University. Eight international speakers traveled to South Africa for this event. Some 70 delegates attended SACS1 that was sponsored by major industrial role players and SA academic institutions.  This event saw many “firsts”, including the first activities of SACS to promote awareness of the important role of chemometrics in metabolomics and metabonomics.

Society Objectives:

SACS is a platform to:

• Expand visibility and awareness
• Share local knowledge/experience
• Introduce international knowledge/experience
• Coordinate training to educate in the correct use and application of chemometrics
• Coordinate the use of chemometrics in education/industry (theory and practice)