South Africa and Switzerland have strengthened their science and technology cooperation further with an agreement to establish research chairs to benefit both countries.
This follows a meeting between the Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, and the Swiss Federal Councillor for Economic Affairs, Education and Research, Johann Schneider-Ammann, in Pretoria on Thursday, 5 September.
The Federal Councillor arrived in South Africa on Wednesday, 4 September, on a four-day trip to South Africa at the invitation of the Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, exploring cooperation between the two countries in economic affairs, science, research and innovation.
Two Swiss universities will be selected as international visiting research chairs in South African universities in the areas of migration and diversity, respectively. A process is underway to select suitable Swiss candidates as the international visiting chair. The two chairs will be hosted by Wits University. A further process is underway for a Swiss-South Africa SARChI chair in the domain of Global Environmental Health.
This is line with the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI), designed to address the scientific leadership development needs in universities, and which is increasingly forging new public-private partnerships to give South African universities and industry a competitive edge.
Minister Hanekomand Councillor Schneider-Ammann acknowledged these positive developments, noting in particular the Swiss South African Joint Research Programme (SSAJRP).
"We are pleased with the direction that our partnership with the government of Switzerland is taking. This week's visit by Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann reflects the broadening and deepening of the science and technology relations between the two countries, which both consider strategically important. We are indeed excited about the agreement on the establishment of the research chairs," said Minister Hanekom.
The SSAJRP commenced in 2007 with equal resource contributions, supporting research projects in biotechnology and nanotechnology; biosciences and public health; and social sciences and humanities.
Both sides noted the significant achievements of SSAJRP Phase I, which supported 16 joint research projects with an output of 73 exchange visits, the publication of 71 journal articles, and a human capital development output of eight postdoctoral degrees, 31 PhDs and six MSc degrees.
Phase II of this joint research programme has already begun, with an extended scope of clean and green technology research. Adjudication of 65 applications is underway to select suitable candidates for funding in this regard.
South Africa is one of the most important partners for Swiss trade, investment and economic cooperation in Africa, exporting inter alia precious and semi-precious metals, and agricultural and metal products to that country.
Switzerland is also one of the top three countries in the world for publishing in the environmental sciences. The country also has strong industrial, university and research infrastructure.
Swiss direct investments in South Africa amounted to over R24 billion Swiss Francs at the end of 2011, making Switzerland the fifth largest country of origin for foreign direct investment in South Africa. At the end of 2011, Swiss firms in South Africa employed nearly 34 500 people.
