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24 January 2006

The South African Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, will be visiting the United Kingdom (UK) on 30 and 31 January 2006 to participate in South Africa Day at the Royal Society in London. This initiative is the result of continued discussions between representatives of the science and technology communities of both countries. This is a joint collaborative effort, between the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation on the South African side and on the UK side, the Office of Science and Technology and the Royal Society.

Minister Mangena will be accompanied by senior representatives from the Department and Science Councils, in particular the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Council for Geoscience (CGS), the Human Science Research Council (HSRC), the Medical Research Council (MRC), Vice Chancellors from the higher education sector; senior representatives from the Business Sector, such as Sasol (Pty) Ltd. and representatives from the broader science community.

The event will aim at achieving the following South African objectives and deliverables:

* Market South Africa as a preferred destination for science and technology collaboration and investment in the South African national system of innovation;
* Promote collaboration between scientists, engineers and technologists from both countries;
* Increase mobility of scientists working on joint projects, and strengthening inter-institutional relationships; and
* Build platforms for human capacity development and support special initiatives such as the Centres of Excellence, AIMS, etc.

South Africa Day will involve four workshops on 30 January 2006, which will include a number of South Africa and UK scientists in each. The fields identified for the workshops are Biotechnology, Energy and Climate Change, Advanced Manufacturing and Astronomy. The second day, 31 January 2006, will be a seminar that will focus on sketching the South African Science and Technology landscape, through means of addresses from key role-players in the South African and UK Science Systems, as well as poster exhibitions of South African science and technology excellence. The critical focus will be on the creation of an environment, where networking links can be established and promoted.

Enquiries:
Nhlanhla Nyide
Tel: (012) 317 4355
Cell: 082 871 6767

Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
24 January 2006
Source: SAPA