Science and Technology between South Africa and Slovakia
15 May 2006
Honourable Minister Szigeti
Your Excellency, Ambassador Pavol
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Today, 15 May 2006, marks an important day in our collaboration with the
signing of the Agreement on Science and Technology between South Africa and
Slovakia. Indeed a milestone to celebrate in our collaboration with Central
Europe and more specifically Slovakia. I am convinced that the signing of our
bilateral agreement will result in a partnership that will be mutually
beneficial to our countries.
A recent visit by Deputy Minister Hanekom, accompanied by a technical
delegation to Slovakia, has confirmed that a bilateral co-operation agreement
on science and technology between our two countries will be of great value to
South Africa. Slovakia has a long history of excellence in scientific research
especially in areas such as mathematics and theoretical physics. Both these
areas are of great importance to South Africa and critical areas for building a
generation of young scientists.
We have noted with keen interest that the Slovak Government has recently
launched the Minerva Programme whose vision is to elevate Slovakiaâs living
standard to reach that of the western countries as quickly as possible. The
four pillars of the Minerva programme are:
* investment in people and education
* innovation in science and research
* creation of an information based technology society
* development of the business environment
Certainly all the pillars are of interest to us in South Africa. In South
Africa the pivotal role of science, technology and innovation was signalled in
2004/05 with the establishment of a stand alone Ministry of Science and
Technology. This young Ministry was recognised as an important player in our
national strategy for economic growth and social development to address issues
in both the first and second economies of South Africa.
A key challenge for the science systems in both our countries would be to
assist scientific research and activities that could lead to innovation and
thereby contribute to economic growth and to address the socio-economic
challenges of each of our countries.
Among the many activities to showcase our international partnership in
Science and Technology, we have a biennial exhibition, the International
Innovation Science and Technology Fair (INSITE). The next INSITE would be in
September 2006 and I wish to extend an invitation to your Excellency for
Slovakia to participate.
We are proud that today will mark the addition of Slovakia to our bilateral
cooperation especially in light of Slovakiaâs new status as one of the members
of the ânew 10â of the EU. We can, without doubt, state that the Agreement to
be signed today between our two countries will contribute to the SA National
Research and Development Strategy by investing in our people for the
development of human capital in Science and Technology.
We are keen to proceed with the implementation of this Agreement as well as
the establishment of a Joint Committee to ensure dual facilitation in the
implementation of the Agreement. We will also look at the establishment of a
Programme of Co-operation leading to concrete projects and institutional
partnerships. Another important aspect of our joint collaboration and human
capacity development would be the call for research proposals leading to human
capacity building in science and technology.
The recent visit to Slovakia has emphasised that there are a number of
potential areas around which to develop concrete projects. The current visit of
the Honourable Minister Szigeti and his delegation will further serve as an
opportunity to discuss areas of collaboration.
Honourable Minister, ladies and gentlemen, with these few words I wish to
conclude and once again state that I truly believe that the signing of our
Agreement, today, will lead to a further milestone in the growth of knowledge
for a better quality of life in our respective countries. Best wishes for the
remainder of your stay in our beautiful country. Please enjoy our hospitality
and let us know if there is anything we can do to ensure that your visit is
productive and enjoyable.
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
15 May 2006
Source: Department of Science and Technology (www.dst.gov.za)
