THE SOUTH AFRICAN CHEMICAL INSTITUTE AWARDS

THE GOLD MEDAL
The award shall be made to a member of the Institute in good standing, whose scientific contributions in the field of chemistry or chemical technology are adjudged to be of outstanding merit. The medal shall be known as the Gold Medal of the South African Chemical Institute. The medal is gold-plated and bears the Institute’s name and crest on the obverse, and the name of the medal, together with the name of the recipient and the date on the reverse. The medal shall be accompanied by a monetary award, together with a suitably inscribed scroll.

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THE RAIKES MEDAL
The award shall be made to a member of the Institute, in good standing and under the age of 40 on 31 December in the year of the award, whose original chemical research shows outstanding promise, as judged by the person’s publications in reputable journals. It is further stipulated that the research shall have been performed in South Africa. The medal shall be known as The Raikes Medal of the South African Chemical Institute. The medal is gold-plated and bears a likeness of Humphrey Rivaz Raikes with his name on the obverse, and the Institute’s name and crest, and the name of the recipient and the date on the reverse. The medal shall be accompanied by a monetary award, together with a suitably inscribed scroll.

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THE CHEMICAL EDUCATION MEDAL
The award shall be made to a member of the Institute, in good standing, who has made an outstanding contribution to chemical education, as judged by the person’s published work in the previous five years. Published work may be in any form and may be related to any level or educational context. The medal shall be known as the Chemical Education Medal of the South African Chemical Institute. The medal is struck in silver and bears the Institute’s name and crest on the obverse, and the name of the medal, together with the name of the recipient and the date on the reverse. The medal shall be accompanied by a suitably inscribed scroll.

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THE MERCK MEDAL
The award shall be made to the senior author of any research paper, which has been published and most cited (without self-citation) in the South African Journal of Chemistry, for the past five years, and which is considered to have made the most significant contribution to scientific knowledge in the field of chemistry. It is further stipulated that the senior author be based in South Africa. The medal shall be known as the Merck Medal of the South African Chemical Institute. The medal is gold-plated and bears the Institute’s name and crest on the obverse, and the name of the medal, together with the name of the recipient and the date, on the reverse. A monetary prize, of a value determined by the sponsors, and a suitably inscribed scroll shall accompany the medal. 

THE SASOL POSTGRADUATE MEDAL
The medal shall be awarded to student members of the Institute engaged in, or who have recently completed research towards a MSc or PhD degree in a School/Department of Chemistry at a South African University, or a MTech or DTech degree in a School/Department of Chemistry at a South African University of Technology. Student members who have recently completed their studies must have only graduated in the period June 2023 to May 2024. The medals shall be known as the Sasol Postgraduate Medal of the South African Chemical Institute. The medal is struck in silver and bears the Institute’s name and crest on the obverse, and the name of the medal, together with the name of the recipient and the date on the reverse. The number of medals shall not exceed five per annum, and the medals are limited to one per institution. The recipients of the medals shall be known as The Sasol Postgraduate Medalists. The medal shall be accompanied by a suitably inscribed scroll.

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THE SASOL SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY MEDAL
The theme of the 2024 award is “Emerging Innovator or Entrepreneur”. The award shall be made to a member of the Institute, who is an early-career professional or researcher in the field of chemistry, that has
i.        demonstrated significant contributions to innovative concepts, sustainable methodologies, or applications within the realm of chemistry. The innovations should showcase a high degree of originality and creativity, representing a departure from conventional approaches or the introduction of novel ideas while aligning with sustainable principles, considering environmental, renewable energy, economic, and social impacts. Emphasis will be placed on the actual or potential impact of the innovations on the field, industry, or society. Or
ii.       is an entrepreneur within the field of chemistry, having founded or co-founded a company, and has developed and implemented an innovative business concept based on sustainable chemical principles with a commitment to sustainable business practices within the chemical industry, contributing to environmental and social responsibility. The medal shall be known as the Sustainable Chemistry Medal. The medal is gold-plated and bears the SASOL logo together with the inscription “Sustainability chemist of the year” on the obverse and the Institute’s name and crest and the name of the recipient on the reverse. Members who are based in industry, government institutes and academia are eligible for the award. The award shall comprise, in addition to the medal, a monetary award of a value determined by the sponsors, together with a suitably inscribed scroll. The recipient of the award shall be known as the “Sasol Sustainability Chemist of the Year”.

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THE JAMES MOIR MEDAL
The medal shall be awarded to the best student who has completed a course in any branch of chemistry at NQF level 8 (Honours or Postgraduate Diploma) at a South African University or University of Technology, and achieved a credit-weighted average final mark of at least 75%. The medal shall be known as the James Moir Medal of the South African Chemical Institute. The medal is struck in bronze and bear the Institute’s name and crest on the obverse, and the name of the medal together with the name of the recipient and the date on the reverse. One medal shall be available for award annually for each University and University of Technology in the Republic of South Africa. The medal shall be accompanied by a suitably inscribed scroll.

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Nominations should be received by the Institute not later than 31 May 2025.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION(S)!