Science and technology minister Mosibudi Mangena says SA is facing challenges in the field of science and technology - specifically in human resources, research and development.
Mangena was speaking at the first African Institute for Mathematical Science (AIMS) graduation ceremony in Cape Town late last week.
"As we seek to improve the economic outlook of our country and the quality of life of our citizens, it is important that we do everything that will improve our country`s competitiveness on all fronts," Mangena said.
AIMS was launched last year to offer post-graduate courses with foundations in mathematical research and science. Twenty-seven students from various countries graduated and will go on to further post-graduate studies.
The graduates have studied mathematics and its applications, including areas such as fluid dynamics, financial mathematics and epidemiological modelling.
Mangena said research output from science, full-time equivalent of researchers in the economy, and science and engineering enrolment at higher education levels required improvement.
"Indications are that we are making inroads in this regard, but that should not lull us into decreasing our efforts but spur us on to aspire to even higher goals," the minister said.
He also mentioned the need to increase participation of women and girls in all sectors of science, engineering and technology.
Mangena said in secondary school education, girls were also not doing as well as boys in academic achievement in mathematics. A reason for this is social attitudes, which need to be addressed.
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