Goals are important because they define very succinctly the terrain in which the Institute is working. A question "What does the Institute do?" cannot be answered very easily ... However, a reference to the list of goals certainly helps in answering the query. At any one time, Council can only be working on a subset of goals ... having a list of goals reminds us constantly of our mandate and the aims that we are yet to accomplish, and hopefully spurs proposals for further change. The list of goals will be updated from time to time.

Please send comments on the goals listed below to Dr. Nithaya Chetty [chettyn{at}ukzn{dot}ac{dot}za].

1. General
   1. To being a modern organisation which is responsive to its changing environment. To be a relevant, inclusive and interactive organisation.
   2. To create a positive image of Physics in the country and of the Institute.
   3. To respond timeously to challenges facing physics in general and the Institute in particular.
   4. To foster debate in the physics community on matters of relevance to physics.
   5. To increase the participation rate of members in the affairs of the Institute. To strengthen the relationship between Council and the members.
   6. To promote new fields of physics. To help members stay abreast of international developments in physics. To promote Schools and Workshops on special topics in physics, especially burgeoning new fields in physics.
   7. To present a unified front for 'Mainstream Physics', Astronomy and Cosmology, Biological Physics, Medical Physics, and Applied and Industrial Physics, and to represent the interests of all sectors.
   8. To promote the public understanding of science in general and Physics in particular. To dispel misconceptions about science amongst members of the public. To issue press releases whenever appropriate.
   9. To promote ethics in science, particularly in physics.
   10. To sponsor attendance at physics conferences
   11. To establish a special fund outside the normal budget to finance bursaries, special projects, conferences, etc.
   12. To increase the number of postgraduate students of physics. To make a special effort to reach out to postgraduate students of physics and to make the Institute more relevant to this group. To increase the participation rate of this group in the affairs of the Institute.
   13. To promote equity and excellence in physics.
2. Administrative
   1. To establish a permanent salaried secretariat.
   2. To create a permanent postal address for the Institute.
   3. To increase the membership of the Institute.
   4. To create a database of physicists in South Africa.
   5. To raise funds for the Institute.
   6. To arrange financially profitable conferences.
   7. To be efficient in the use of Institute funds, and "to make every cent count".
3. Schools
   1. To engage in curriculum development at schools.
   2. To be involved in the training of high school teachers of science.
   3. To market physics to high school students of science.
   4. To be a conduit for information about jobs in physics, scholarships, exchange programmes, etc. to all students.
   5. To make the Institute more attractive to teachers of physics.
4. Government
   1. To liaise with government. To make an input to relevant legislation.
   2. To advise the National Research Foundation and other funding agents on matters related to physics
   3. To keep members informed of any aspect or activity, especially legislation, that is of relevance to physics in South Africa.
5. Industry
   1. To liaise with industry. To market physics in industry and commerce and to actively promote the expertise of physics graduates.
   2. To secure industrial sponsorships for physics by way of bursaries, scholarships, funding for conferences and support for projects that promote the public understanding of science.
   3. To continue to develop Applied and Industrial Physics Research.
   4. To make the Institute more attractive to physicists outside academia.
6. International
   1. To liaise with international bodies of relevance to physics.
   2. To promote the internationalisation of physics in South Africa. To promote visits to South Africa of eminent foreign physicists, especially Black physicists. To encourage the international exchange of students, teachers and researchers in physics.
   3. To participate in the development of physics in Africa.