Minister Dzinotyiweyi
Minister Massingue
Guests and delegates
There is little doubt that nanotechnology has an extraordinarily important role to play in shaping our future.
The question is this: are we doing enough to stake a claim in this future? Are our industries planning to make sure that they are not left behind?
In South Africa we have developed six instruments to promote nanotechnology.
First, we established nanotechnology innovation centres.
They have shown impressive results in the short space of time since their establishment. These can be attributed in part to their operational frameworks.
They are based on a triangular model, involving higher education institutions, government, and some industry players. In our view this ensures the concurrent realisation of human capital development and nanotechnology innovation.
If we‘re to succeed in realising our objectives in a multidisciplinary field like nanotechnology, it's important that we bring all role players together. A number of actions have been undertaken to implement our strategy.
The South African government has been promoting the need to involve industry in nanotechnology development.
Second, we drafted a nanotechnology research plan that will guide development efforts to ensure that our strategic objectives are met.
As with all new technologies, nanotechnology holds potential risks to health, to safety and to ethical practices. I think in particular of charting new frontiers in bio-chemistry and molecular biology.
The National Nanotechnology Strategy requires us to consider these vitally important areas, and the Department is working to provide a platform for the proactive identification and mitigation of risks.
Through the establishment of the Nanotechnology Ethics Committee and the Nanotechnology Health, Safety and Environmental research platform, efforts are being made towards ensuring the responsible development and application of nanotechnology.
This is obviously a shared responsibility, and the support of all stakeholders for these initiatives is vital. Moreover, in South Africa we intend to establish a world-class high resolution transmission electron microscopy centre at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The process for the acquisition of the system is well under way, and it is expected that the system will be commissioned within the next 18 months.
Third, we established a nanoschool in partnership with the University of the Western Cape. This is part of our suite of human capital development programmes, and is aimed at contributing towards the creation of a pool of properly equipped researchers in the field of nanotechnology. As an international school, it offers an excellent opportunity to network and form partnerships with researchers from other parts of the globe.
Fourth, we drafted a nanotechnology public engagement plan to promote public awareness and create a platform for meaningful debate about the technologies.
Modelled around a framework developed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, this engagement plan should enable the public to make informed choices about nanotechnology.
Fifth, we appointed nanoresearch professors. We have a research chairs initiative. We have appointed 82 professors to these prestigious posts and we plan to appoint many more. A total of five nanotechnology research chairs have been appointed. Their contribution to human capital development is commendable, with about 60 postgraduate students currently being trained and already 110 publications produced through this programme.
Sixth, and last, we have flagship nanoprojects. These are projects that are aimed at demonstrating the benefits of nanotechnology within a reasonable space of time. The most significant of these is the CSIR’s TB project.
The focus of the project is on the encapsulation of existing TB drugs using nanopolymer and ensuring the slow release of drugs in the system. If successful, the project will help reduce the frequency of the intake of drugs and the quantities. The project is currently in the preclinical phase and the preliminary data obtained are already promising. The project holds out prospects of dealing decisively with the TB challenge.
In addition to this project, the DST supports seven other flagship projects.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
20 May 2010
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za)
