The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, will on Tuesday, 27 September address the opening ceremony of an international conference focused on research and development cooperation to address global challenges with particular, but not exclusive, focus on African-European Union (EU) science and technology cooperation.
The Trans-National Cooperation amongst International Cooperation National Contact Points (INCONTACT) conference will be held at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park from 27 to 28 September 2011.
INCONTACT is an official Network of National Contact Points (NCPs) for International Scientific Cooperation Activities (INCO) funded under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). It is regarded as a platform for enhancing participation of third countries (i.e. countries that are not EU Member States or Associated countries) in European research programmes.
Being held in Africa for the first time, the conference also seeks to build African regional capacity with regard to FP7 understanding and improving the ability of officially appointed FP7 NCPs in Africa to carry out their responsibilities to promote FP7 participation in their countries.
The conference will have representatives from Africa, Asia, Europe, and America.
The Department of Science and Technology is committed to supporting Africa- EU cooperation on science and technology and facilitating African researchers’ participation in FP7.
The EU Ambassador to South Africa, Roeland van de Geer, will also speak at the opening session.
RSVP and enquiries:
Nthabiseng Maoela
Cell: 082 944 0015
E-mail: nthabi.maoela@dst.gov.za
Zama Mthethwa
Cell: 082 808 3956
E-mail: zama.mthethwa@dst.gov.za
Department of Science and Technology hosts international conference on research and development co-operation
