Science and technology minister Naledi Pandor, along with local academics, will join international delegates at the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) in a bid to forge partnerships to use ICTs for socio-economic development.
The ESOF conference - which takes place next week - brings together business leaders, researchers and scientists aiming to collaborate and find solutions to some of Europe and the world's challenges, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The department notes SA remains one of the most active participants from outside Europe, with more than R400 million in European Union funding already allocated towards local organisations.
Professor Mamello Thinyane, from the University of Fort Hare's (UFH) computer science department, and Professor Glenda Gray, new president of the Medical Research Council, will join physiotherapist Takatso Semenya at ESOF.
Thinyane says the conference will be a "valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge in the ICT field". He says European interest in Africa remains high, with ESOF presenting the chance to "form partnerships towards the development of this country".
Thinyane works at the Telkom Centre of Excellence, based at UFH's campus in Alice - a facility which aims to boost e-skills training among community members. Gray will lead a presentation on how health diplomacy drives business and innovation, while Semenya notes she will focus on insights from health research experts.
Pandor says SA will also showcase its latest scientific advances at the event.
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