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SA receives praise for innovation research

Simnikiwe Mzekandaba
By Simnikiwe Mzekandaba, IT in government editor
Johannesburg, 08 Dec 2016
European Commission's Wolfgang Burtscher praised SA's achievements in the field of scientific and innovation research.
European Commission's Wolfgang Burtscher praised SA's achievements in the field of scientific and innovation research.

SA has evolved into one of the European Commission's most developed research and innovation partners.

This is word from Wolfgang Burtscher, deputy director-general for open innovation, open science, and open to the world for the European Commission, speaking at the Science Forum South Africa 2016 (SFSA) in Pretoria.

According to Burtscher, SA's level of participation in the Commission's research framework programmes has largely increased over the last few years.

"South African entities actively participating in Horizon 2020 has a significantly higher success rate at 21% as compared to the overall success rate in Horizon 2020, which shows scientific excellence in the country."

Under the leadership of minister Naledi Pandor, the Department of Science and Technology is in charge of driving SA's scientific, technology and innovation research agenda.

Burtscher further noted the Commission has prioritised three principles that guide scientific and innovation research, which are similar to the priorities of the scientific research agenda in SA.

Science remains at the core of citizen's concerns and more important than ever, therefore the need for scientists with appropriate skills is not only an issue for SA but the rest of the world, he said.

"We need to create a space for policy making and not succumb to the temptations of a post society. I think that evidence and facts must remain the yardsticks for progress."

Forums such as the SFSA are extremely important in bringing people from different sectors and various parts of the world together, noted Burtscher.

Now in its second year, SFSA is described as a platform that seeks to build on the science and technology department's objective of providing a vibrant support base for the expansion of research and innovation on the African continent in partnership with the global science community.

The SFSA 2016 is taking place at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in Pretoria until December 9th.

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