Programme director
President and Chief Executive Officer of Mintek, Mr Abiel Mngomezulu
Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, Professor Adam Habib
Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape, Professor Ramesh Bharuthram
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good morning
It’s a pleasure to be here with you on Heritage Day.
Lord Broers, a nanotechnology pioneer, ended his lecture on nanotechnology (his 2005 Reith lectures were on the role of technology in the 21st century) with this comment: “I celebrate the fact that as the last century came to a close we saw the small catch up with the large in terms of practical significance to the human race. It would have been difficult to persuade Brunel that the ability to design and fabricate at the nanometre scale was going to have as much impact upon people as the ability to build bridges and railways, but I believe that this is now the case. Humankind stands to benefit as much-or more-from the brilliant array of nanotechnologies I have described as it did from the giant engineering achievements of a century or more ago”.
There is little doubt that nanotechnology has an extraordinarily important role to play in shaping the future. There are many futurologists, like James Martin (whose Institute for Science and Civilisation I visited last year in Oxford; Ian Golding is its current director), who predict that future computers will become extensions of our brains and nanotechnology will be central to this process. 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? The nanotechnology innovation centres (NIC) show the way.
The nanotechnology innovation centres are among our flagship projects. They have shown impressive results in the short space of time since their establishment. These can be attributed in part to their operational frameworks. For the Mintek NIC, in particular, the triangular model, involving higher education institutions and some industry players, seems to be an excellent model for ensuring the concurrent realisation of multiple strategic objectives such as human capital development and expeditious 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.
The recently published European Commission‘s Grand European Initiative on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology using Neutron and Synchrotron Radiation
Sources (GENNESYS) white paper on nanomaterials science and technology recognises that the novelty and complexity of nanotechnology make industry engagement with the scientific community imperative. The white paper argues that industrial success depends heavily on efficient science and technology knowledge transfer between research institutions and industry, partly through the success of start-up and spin-off companies.
The Mintek NIC model has all the ingredients for success. As most of you will know, we have recently approved the building of a clean room facility at Mintek, providing a controlled environment to ensure credible research outputs. We could not allow your impressive progress to be impeded by a lack of appropriate infrastructure!
While my department is serious about the need to involve industry in nanotechnology development, we must acknowledge that such involvement is currently not at the desired level. We are organising a nanotechnology industry Indaba later this year. We will use this platform to share our vision for nanotechnology with industry role players, and to create a space for industry to get on board and make sure their needs are taken into account in nanotechnology development. Boosting our economy is only one of the ways in which the Department of Science and Technology intends to use nanotechnology to deal with the problems our country faces.
We have recently finalised a nanotechnology research plan that will guide development efforts to ensure that our strategic objectives are met. I appeal to all research institutions to familiarise themselves with the plan and use it to inform their nanotechnology research strategies. If we work together we will undoubtedly achieve more.
As with all new technologies, nanotechnology holds potential risks. Let ‘s not get so caught up in the excitement of the prospects nanotechnology presents that we fail to pay attention to health, safety and ethical issues in respect of this technology. 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. I expect that this or future workshops will dedicate some time to discussing the health, safety and environmental risks of nanotechnology.
A world class high resolution transmission electron microscopy centre at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University; let me turn my attention to the students whose work will be showcased during the workshop. I want to make sure you are aware of the importance of what you do and just how much South Africa relies on you to succeed. Stay dedicated to the task. Know that we believe in you and that we will continue doing what is necessary to help you succeed.
As part of creating an enabling environment for you, the department intends 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. Make sure that you take advantage of the opportunity this infrastructure presents.
I trust that some of you will join other students from South Africa and abroad at the Nano School that the department is organising in partnership with the University of the Western Cape towards the end of November this year. 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 for you to network and form partnerships with researchers from other parts of the globe. Make sure you register before the end of October!
I commend the management of Mintek and the Mintek NIC steering committee, whose visionary leadership has resulted in this much needed platform for young people and aspirant researchers. We value your contribution to advancing the broader goals of our national system of innovation and will continue to look to you for support as we continue with the roll out of the strategy implementation plan.
The recently approved nanotechnology public engagement plan, which aims to promote public awareness and create a platform for meaningful debate about the technology, should benefit from your expertise and experience. 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. After all, our efforts are intended to benefit the public, and so we need to have them on board. I urge all of you to participate in the roll out of the plan.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to declare this workshop officially open, may its outcomes exceed your expectations.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
24 September 2009
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za/)
