Dr Happy Jabulani Nukeri
Happy Jabulani Nukeri is currently the Managing Director for the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) which is one of the business units of the National Research Foundation (NRF). The NRF is an independent statutory institution performing an agency function for the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The NRF’s mandate is to support and promote research through funding, human capacity development and the provision of necessary facilities. Through SAASTA the NRF drives science awareness, advancement and engagement through education, science communication and science awareness.
He was a Manager of the Science Education Unit at SAASTA for a number of years before being appointed Managing Director. In the position as manager of the unit he conceptualised new projects that allowed the organisation to identify and nurture talent in science, engineering and technology amongst youngsters, even in deep rural areas.
Before joining SAASTA in March 2005, he served as a science educator, head of department, lecturer at a college of education, curriculum adviser and as an Education Specialists in Mathematics, Science and Technology for the Department of Education from 1985 to 2005.
He also worked as part-time tutor and examiner for some Higher Education Institutions in South Africa and consulted for some organisation in the education sector. He is presently representing the NRF as a member of the board of directors for the South African Mathematics Foundation and also for Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.
He obtained his BA degree (Education), BEd (Specialising in Educational Management) and MEd and DEd degrees from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
His main research areas on interests are in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education and science advancement and engagement.