The CSIR Meraka Institute and a German-based think tank have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at developing and implementing cutting-edge technologies.
The collaboration has the primary goal of developing and commercialising joint solutions for future-oriented topics such as mobile and wireless technologies, according to the CSIR. It adds that the partnership will focus on joint research in the fields of optical data transmission and networks, video coding/video streaming, wireless high speed data transmission, and interactive media and human factors.
The MOU was signed recently in Berlin by Professor HJ Grallert, MD of the German institute, the Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI), and Laurens Cloete, acting executive director of the CSIR Meraka Institute.
The Meraka Institute believes the MOU will boost its mission to build a world-class ICT research, development and innovation institution that contributes towards the goal of making SA a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented information society.
“The venture comprises the joint research and marketing of technologies and cooperation in promoting joint solutions. In particular, this interaction will include trade fairs, technical conferences and symposiums, client events, and the joint realisation of expert conferences, lectures/tutorials and student exchange,” says the CSIR a statement.
Sustainability of development efforts will be supported by an environment of long-term collaboration, the Meraka Institute notes. Identifying and pursuing strategic, future-oriented fields will be supported by ensuring the availability of current applied knowledge through cooperation with other councils for scientific and industrial research from around the world, it adds.
Cloete concurs: “The CSIR Meraka Institute has been working with HHI over a number of years in the field of video coding. The MOU is, therefore, the formalisation and extension of an existing partnership that will be of benefit to both institutions.”
HHI is a research institute of Fraunhofer, Europe's largest research facility with over 17 000 employees, 59 institutes and a budget of approximately $2.3 billion. It is one of the leading research institutes in the world for key technologies of the future.
Cloete indicates that: “HHI's expertise is complementary and highly relevant to Meraka's research where extending and enhancing broadband access through optical and wireless networks are key to SA's development and to major science projects such as the Square Kilometre Array.”
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