and Industry Technology Awards
11 September 2007
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will host the Department of Trade and
Industry Technology Awards that will be held at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan
University in Port Elizabeth from 17 to 18 September 2007. The awards will be
presented by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mandisi Mpahlwa, who will
also deliver a keynote address. The guests will include the Eastern Cape
Premier Ms Nosimo Balindlela, the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism for
the Eastern Cape, Mr Mbulelo Sogoni and the Executive Mayor of the Nelson
Mandela Metro, Ms Nondumiso Maphazi.
The new Department of Trade and Industry Technology Awards 2007 is a
combination of the Department of Trade and Industry Technology Programme Awards
i.e. a merger of the current Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII)
Awards, administered by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the
Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) Awards,
administered by the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the newly formed
Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) Technology Programme (STP) awards,
administered by the Small Enterprise Development Agency.
The purpose of the Department of Trade and Industry Technology Awards is to
raise awareness on the benefits of using technology to improve competitiveness
of enterprises. The awards will recognise individuals and organisations that
contributed towards technology promotion and innovation in South Africa. They
are also aimed at inspiring and encouraging creativity and technological
innovativeness amongst business people by rewarding those that make use of
technology to advance their business.
Forty-eight business people and organisations have been nominated for the
eighteen categories for which trophies and certificates will be awarded. The
categories include:
* best performing technology transfer intervention
* most noticeable impact on the local economy
* small, medium and micro enterprise development
* outstanding black research/project leader
* human resource development
* research collaboration
* best product/process development.
According to Dr Johannes Potgieter, Chief Director of Innovation and
Technology at the Department of Trade and industry, the continual upgrading of
an enterprise's technological capability is not a luxury, but a necessity in
order to stay competitive. That is why the Department of Trade and Industry has
several programmes to promote innovation, technology transfer, incubation and
human resource development. The Department of Trade and Industry Technology
Awards 2007 provides an opportunity to showcase South African technology
achievements supported by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Approximately fifty exhibitors from the nominees and previous winners will
be exhibiting their products to the general public. The exhibition will also be
attended by learners from the local schools to encourage them to pursue careers
in science, engineering and technology.
On the 18 September 2007, the Minister will conduct site visits to the Coega
Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), Chemin Incubator and the National Plant
Fibre Centre in Summerstrand.
Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
11 September 2007
Source: Department of Trade and Industry (http://www.dti.gov.za)
