2006
24 January 2006
The South African Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, will
be visiting the United Kingdom (UK) on 30 and 31 January 2006 to participate in
South Africa Day at the Royal Society in London. This initiative is the result
of continued discussions between representatives of the science and technology
communities of both countries. This is a joint collaborative effort, between
the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation
on the South African side and on the UK side, the Office of Science and
Technology and the Royal Society.
Minister Mangena will be accompanied by senior representatives from the
Department and Science Councils, in particular the Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Council
for Geoscience (CGS), the Human Science Research Council (HSRC), the Medical
Research Council (MRC), Vice Chancellors from the higher education sector;
senior representatives from the Business Sector, such as Sasol (Pty) Ltd. and
representatives from the broader science community.
The event will aim at achieving the following South African objectives and
deliverables:
* Market South Africa as a preferred destination for science and technology
collaboration and investment in the South African national system of
innovation;
* Promote collaboration between scientists, engineers and technologists from
both countries;
* Increase mobility of scientists working on joint projects, and strengthening
inter-institutional relationships; and
* Build platforms for human capacity development and support special
initiatives such as the Centres of Excellence, AIMS, etc.
South Africa Day will involve four workshops on 30 January 2006, which will
include a number of South Africa and UK scientists in each. The fields
identified for the workshops are Biotechnology, Energy and Climate Change,
Advanced Manufacturing and Astronomy. The second day, 31 January 2006, will be
a seminar that will focus on sketching the South African Science and Technology
landscape, through means of addresses from key role-players in the South
African and UK Science Systems, as well as poster exhibitions of South African
science and technology excellence. The critical focus will be on the creation
of an environment, where networking links can be established and promoted.
Enquiries:
Nhlanhla Nyide
Tel: (012) 317 4355
Cell: 082 871 6767
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
24 January 2006
Source: SAPA
