By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The United Kingdom has
highlighted the breadth of its science and technology partnerships with South
Africa, with representatives from key South African research, innovation and
space institutions visiting the UK in South Africa to review programmes supporting
research, innovation, technology and skills development.
The engagement brought
together officials and representatives from the Department of Science,
Technology and Innovation, the National Research Foundation of South Africa,
the Technology Innovation Agency and the South African National Space Agency.
Leanne Jones, Head of the
Africa Science and Technology Network, said the engagement provided an
opportunity to showcase the UK's science and technology partnerships in South
Africa and the range of programmes being delivered with South African partners.
The partnerships build on
decades of collaboration between the two countries across research, innovation,
technology and skills development.
Among the areas highlighted
was cooperation with major corporates and innovators aimed at accelerating
artificial intelligence adoption and commercialisation.
The collaboration also
includes research addressing shared global challenges, including health
security and climate change, as well as South Africa's participation in the
international science project represented by the Square Kilometre Array
Observatory (SKAO).
Jones said the breadth of
the partnerships demonstrates the range of areas in which the UK and South
Africa are working together to strengthen research and innovation ecosystems.
The cooperation is also
focused on supporting the translation of research and ideas into practical
impact and developing solutions intended to deliver benefits for both countries
and the wider international community.
Jones thanked the
participating partners for joining the engagement and for their continued
contribution to the development of the UK-South Africa science and technology
partnership.
