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Condolences to late Professor Giovanni Bignami’s family and colleagues

25 May 2017

SKA South Africa, together with the global radio astronomy community, expresses its deepest condolences to the family, friends and acquaintances of Professor Giovanni Bignami, the Chair of the SKA Board.

Professor Bignami chaired the SKA Board during a critical period where SKA’s partner countries are in negotiations to establish a new governance convention, for the future SKA Observatory. While it is sad that Professor Bignami will not see the realisation of the SKA Observatory, his contribution to the SKA advancing to such a state of maturity will always be remembered.

Prior to taking up the position of the Chair of the SKA Board, Professor Bignami occupied other key international positions such as the President of COSPAR, the World Committee for Space Research, President of the Italian Institute of Astrophysics and President of the Italian Space Agency. Last year Professor Bignami was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

“Professor Bignami was an excellent science diplomat who was dedicated to the advancement of science. SKA South Africa appreciates and will always remember the support and leadership of Professor Bignami,” says Dr Rob Adam, Managing Director of SKA South Africa.

Professor Phil Diamond, Director General of the Square Kilometre Array Organisation, the Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor and Professor Giovanni Bignami, the late Chair of the SKA Board, during the Minister’s visit to the SKAO Headquarters last week.

Contact

Lorenzo Raynard
SKA SA Head: Communication and Stakeholder Relations
Email: lraynard@ska.ac.za
Mobile: +27 (0)71 454 0658

Last Updated on May 25, 2017

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