Johannesburg, 28 Nov 2016
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) Science Forum South Africa, set to take place in Pretoria next month, is successfully raising international awareness of South Africa's capacity across all scientific disciplines, reports the DST.
DST Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation and Resources Daan du Toit reports that the inaugural Science Forum South Africa in 2015 successfully attracted over 1 500 participants from 50 countries across Africa and internationally. Following this success, even stronger international participation is expected this year, with exhibitors, speakers, stakeholders and attendees from around the world set to converge on the CSIR International Convention Centre from 8-9 December to discover and discuss advances across the broad range of scientific disciplines in South Africa.
"As part of an informal alliance of similar forums around the world, Science Forum South Africa has become internationally recognised and is a drawcard for leading international stakeholders. A number of international journalists will also attend this year's event, giving global exposure and enhancing the profile of South African science."
This international exposure and credibility is but one of the DST's aims in hosting Science Forum South Africa, says Du Toit. The event seeks to promote international science, technology and innovation collaboration; stimulate debate on the role of science, technology and innovation in society; and - crucially - provide a platform for key science, technology and innovation actors, including senior government leaders, academics, scientists, industry, civil society, and students to interact.
Among the leading international speakers to present during the two-day forum will be Dr Wolfgang Burtscher, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, responsible for Open Innovation, Open Science, Open to the World; Prof Reimund Neugebauer, German mechanical engineer and President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Corporate Policy and Research Management; Prof Tateo Arimoto of Japan's Department of Science and Technology; Prof Mauro Giacca of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; Dr George Owusu Essegbey of Ghana's Science and Technology Policy Research Institute; and Pedro de Sampaio Nunes, Ms. Ana Tomasek and Ms. Susanne Madders of the Europe-wide network for industrial research and development, EUREKA Secretariat.
In the exhibition hall, international exhibitors will include Botswana Innovation Hub, the Embassies of Germany, Israel, Japan, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, the General Representation of the Government of Flanders and IMS International. An exhibition platform jointly managed by the ESASTAP 2020 and the European Delegation to South Africa will promote the ESASTAP 2020 project and share the EU research and development funding opportunities available to South Africans. On the sidelines of the forum, a meeting will be held on trilateral science and technology cooperation between South Africa, France and Francophone African Countries.
"In addition to stimulating discussion and building awareness of South Africa as a leading science player, we hope to see the forum's focus on key policy issues - including human capital development, science and ethics, biotechnology and science in policy and decision-making enriching the South African and global understanding of these issues," says Du Toit.
Science Forum South Africa will be staged on 8-9 December 2016, at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, South Africa. To register, go to http://www.sfsa.co.za/registration/
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