The spotlight will shine on the KwaZulu-Natal City of Durban on 17 October 2013 when the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) recognises and rewards technological innovation and excellence at the seventh edition of the dti Technology Awards that will be held at the iNkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
More than four hundred guests from all over the country will watch in admiration as technology geniuses receive awards for their awe-inspiring and innovative inventions. This year’s awards, which will be preceded by an exhibition that will be open to the public, will be held under the theme Broadening Participation Through Technology.
“The purpose of the dti Technology Awards is to raise awareness on the benefits of using technology to improve the competitiveness of enterprises. The awards recognise individuals and organisations that contributed towards technology development and innovation in South Africa. They are also aimed at inspiring and encouraging creativity and technological innovativeness amongst businesspeople by rewarding those that make use of technology to advance their business,” says the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies.
The Awards also include recognising individuals and organisation for their consistent efforts in advancing and promoting technology interests and innovation by marginalised groups. Minister Davies adds that 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 dti has several programmes to promote innovation, technology transfer, incubation and human resource development. The Awards provide an opportunity to showcase South African technology achievements supported by the dti,” says Minister Davies.
Trade and Industry Technology Awards are a combination of the three dti technology programmes, namely the Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII) managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Technology and Human Resource for Industry Programme (THRIP), managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF), and the Seda Technology Programme (stp) managed by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda).
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Mobile: 079 492 1774
Tel: (012) 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Twitter: @the_dti
