The President of the Republic of South Africa His Excellency Jacob Zuma has congratulated two outstanding South African scientists Professor Patrick Eriksson and Professor Diane Hildebrandt for winning the prestigious Continental African Union Scientific Awards for basic science, technology and innovation at the African Union (AU).
The Continental Scientific Awards programme is designed to celebrate achievements of African scientists in their efforts to transform scientific research into entrepreneurship, attract investment to Africa and create centres of excellence in the continent.
Professor Diane Hildebrandt is Co-Director at the centre for optimisation modelling and process synthesis at the University of the Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg and Professor Patrick Eriksson is head of department of geology at the University of Pretoria. "Science, technology and innovation form indispensable tools for driving socio-economic progress and it requires a strong, dynamic and sustainable basic research enterprise which in turn is sustained by adequate and competent human capital," he said.
The awards ceremony was held during the AU Heads of State and Government Summit currently underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. "I say with pride that South Africans continue displaying excellence in various fields in the international arena. On behalf of the South African people I wish to congratulate Professor Hildebrandt and Professor Eriksson, we wish them well in their endeavors to make Africa and the world a better place to live," said President Zuma.
Issued by: The Presidency
31 January 2010
