The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will award technology innovation in the business sector to encourage the uptake of technology-related skills.
The department will honour individuals and organisations that have excelled in using technology to improve the competitiveness of their enterprises, at the 2010 Technology Awards this week, according to the Government Communication and Information System.
Director of innovation and technology at the DTI Ephraim Baloyi explains that the awards will recognise individuals and organisations that contributed towards technology promotion and innovation in SA. Nominees were selected from among the participants in the DTI programmes that support technology innovations.
“We looked at their [nominees'] reports from the DTI to see how many jobs they have created through their innovation and the amount of sales they made and revenue they generated.”
The GCIS adds that there are three DTI technology programmes, each of which will see awards handed out. The three programmes are the Support Programme for Industrial Innovation, managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC); Technology and Human Resource for Industry Programme, managed by the National Research Foundation, and the Small Enterprise Development Agency Technology Programme.
Baloyi says there are about 55 finalists and approximately 28 of these will receive awards. He adds that the types of technology being recognised are not in a specific sector, but rather cover a variety, for example, within construction, furniture manufacturing and biotechnology.
Inspiring innovation
Learners will be able to view an exhibition showcasing the technology innovations of the finalists tomorrow, according to Baloyi.
“We want to encourage them to take science and technology and engineering subjects as they move into higher education so we can appropriate skills in the technology environment, because that's where we are lacking as a country.”
He adds that the public will be invited to view the exhibition on Thursday, when the deputy minister and DTI senior management will visit three of the DTI-supported projects around Gauteng. The awards ceremony will take place that evening in conjunction with the IDC.
"As the custodian and lead department of enterprise development in the country, it is our objective to inspire and encourage creativity, and technology innovativeness among business people by rewarding those that make use of technology to advance their business.
“Showcasing and publicising winners will go a long way in encouraging and elevating aspirant entrepreneurs," he notes.
He adds that the aim is also to make the general public aware of the benefits that technology can bring to their businesses.
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