Prof Jonathan Jansen formally inducted as member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Rubbing shoulders with leading international scholars was an "experience of a lifetime", says Prof Professor Jonathan Jansen, Distinguished Professor in Education at Stellenbosch University (SU) and president of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). He was recently formally inducted as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at the official ceremony held in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

"I happened to be seated between two fellow inductees, the incoming President of Harvard University, and the Chancellor of City University of New York. To be recognised at this level by one's peers is truly humbling and exhilarating at the same time. And I know it would not have been possible without the platform SU provided for my research and scholarship over the past six years or so. I am grateful to the University and to my mentors, friends and family who made this possible," he says.

Founded in 1780, the Academy honours excellence and convenes leaders from every field of human endeavour to examine new ideas and address issues of importance. Current Academy members represent innovative thinkers in every field and profession, including more than 250 Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners. Jansen has been honoured through his election for the "outstanding contribution that he has made in his field of expertise".

Jansen takes his place among the Academy's many notable members, including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Graham Bell. International Honorary Members have included luminaries such as Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Wislawa Szymborska, Laurence Olivier, Mary Leakey, Gabriel Garcia Márquez, Akira Kurosawa and Nelson Mandela.

The work continues

Meanwhile, closer to home, Jansen has been involved in raising R1.8 million for an early childhood education centre in Cloetesville.

About 90 children from this community stand a better chance of academic success thanks to a partnership between SU and Breadline Africa to develop a new early childhood development centre (ECD) in the area.

ATKV Abbasorg ECD, to be built on the grounds of the Laerskool Cloetesville, will be the first ECD structure in this community to be connected to a primary school. "We are excited at the possibility of what can happen, in Stellenbosch and in South Africa, when we are able to make connections, especially in poorer communities, with preschools and schools."

Jansen hosted a "philanthropic celebration" where he engaged in conversation with Prof Thuli Madonsela and radio personality John Maytham on the topic "Is there hope for South Africa?". At this event, the Albert Wessels Trust pledged to donate R1.5 million towards the project. Peninsula Beverages donated a further R100 000, with Breadline Africa adding the remainder needed to fund the R1.8 million ECD centre.

"The wonderful thing about South Africa is that people want to know what they can do (to help)," says Jansen. The donations and partnership will ensure that these children have the best possible educational experience. "Too many children come into Grade 1 unable to write their names, or count." By linking an ECD to a primary school, these children will have the foundational skills they need to succeed when they do enter the formal educational system, he explained.

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