Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
5 September 2007
President Thabo Mbeki will on Monday, 10 September 2007, officially open the
Cape Town component of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology (ICGEB) at the University of Cape Town.
The Cape Town component of the ICGEB will develop research programmes
focused on the needs of the African continent such as infectious and chronic
diseases, staple crop development and the use of biotechnology to further
develop manufacturing and industrial sectors.
The event follows the International Bid won by South Africa to become the
third country in the world to host a research laboratory of the ICGEB. It is
line with the UN Research, Training and Technology Sharing Agency geared to
address Africa's health and agricultural needs.
President Thabo Mbeki will be accompanied by Minister of Science and
Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, Italian Minister of University and Research,
Mr Fabio Mussi and the Director General of the ICGEB, Mr Francisco Baralle.
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: Monday, 10 September 2007
Time: 10h00 (please arrive at 09h30)
Venue: Institute for Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of
Cape Town (UCT)
For more information, please contact:
Mukoni Ratshitanga
Cell: 082 300 3447
Sam Bopape
Cell: 082 318 5251
Issued by: The Presidency
5 September 2007
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
