The Conservation Symposium Awards

Premier's Award

Awarded to the best oral presentation from a student registered with a KwaZulu-Natal academic institution. The winner receives a certificate at the gala dinner and travel-assistance to an international conference of their choice to a maximum of R35 000. This award was initiated by Premier Zweli Mkhize, the then Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, to promote the development of students attending institutions in the province, and has been generously funded by WildTrust. Students from KZN institutions will be invited to and must attend (in order to qualify for the award), a pre-Symposium session where they will present their work. They will be scored according to a set of criteria and will receive constructive comments to improve their final presentation for the Symposium from a panel of scientists. Travel support to attend the judging session is available.

NEWF Young Scientist Award

Awarded to a young scientist (18 - 30 years) whose research project goes against the grain, dares to challenge and displays the desire to discover. The winner will be granted automatic entry into the NEWF 2019 N.E.W Pitch Competition for a chance to win R 50 000 to produce a short documentary film. NEWF creates a path to conservation through film and aims to discover the next generation of nature, environment and wildlife filmmakers. The NEWF Congress is an event held in July each year in the city of Durban. The Congress is Africa’s premiere destination for the convergence of nature, environment and wildlife filmmakers, scientists, conservationists and broadcast media. The NEWF Young Scientist Award includes: 

  • Automatic entry into the NEWF2019 N.E.W Pitch Competition
  • Return flights to Durban, accommodation and transfers (if required)
  • Accreditation to attend NEWF2019, including access to industry breakfasts, lunches and evening cocktails
  • Access to NEWF N.E.W Pitch mentors to develop your scientific research into a short documentary film pitch
  • A pitching workshop held prior to the Congress

Best Oral Presentation

Certificate awarded at the gala dinner to the presenter adjudicated by their peers to have presented the best oral presentation at the Symposium.

Best Poster

Certificate awarded at the gala dinner to the presenter adjudicated by their peers to have displayed the best poster at the Symposium.