New Platform to Advance Science and Technology Cooperation between South Africa and the European Union

28 June 2005

Venue: Pretoria

One of South Africa’s most strategic partnerships in international science and technology cooperation, that with the European Union (EU), has been significantly boosted with the announcement today of the launch of the European – South African Science and Technology Advancement Programme (ESASTAP).

This new programme is being implemented by South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) with the CSIR as an implementation partner, and will be supported by the European Commission under its Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). It will seek to concertedly promote science and technology cooperation between South African and the European Union.

Speaking at the launch, Science and Technology Director-General, Dr Rob Adam, said science is global in reach and scope and for South Africa to sustain scientific excellence it is critical to strengthen the country’s connectedness to global research.

“The greatest benefits leveraged through South African participation in research consortia funded by the European Union Framework Programmes do not lie in securing funding. Instead, these benefits accrue in the experience gained through collaboration with leading international scientists, and in sharing the rich results of joint knowledge generation,” says Adam.

He says a critical mass in science collaboration will enable South African and European scientists to anticipate future science and technology needs and to resolve major global issues. While South African researchers have to date successfully participated in more than 50 FP6 projects, both South Africa and the European Union believe that there is ample scope to increase SA participation.

A key objective of ESASTAP is to promote research mobility between South Africa and the European Union. This will facilitate the attraction of skilled European researchers to work in South Africa, while South African researchers will be able to gain experience working in top European facilities.

Adam says while South Africa is stepping up its own national investment in science and technology, it remains important for the country to leverage co-investments such as Framework Programme funding.

ESASTAP will engage in numerous activities over the next two years in efforts to enhance SA-EU Science and Technology cooperation. These include the dissemination of information on cooperation opportunities, focused support and aid services to South African participants in the Framework Programmes and concerted marketing efforts of South African S&T excellence in Europe. The ESASTAP website will offer interactive partner-search facilities, as well as publish success stories of SA-EU Science and Technology cooperation and the results of Framework Programme participation.

The aspiration to optimally support South Africa’s researchers in joint science cooperation endeavours motivated the DST to prepare ESASTAP, in response to the European Commission’s call for such proposals. Other countries, which are launching similar initiatives to enhance their S&T cooperation with the EU, include the People’s Republic of China, Canada and Australia.

Issued by the Department of Science and Technology. ESASTAP is a dedicated platform for the advancement of European – South African Scientific and Technological (S&T) cooperation and is being implemented by the DST's Programme for International Cooperation and Resources. For more information, visit www.esastap.org.za

Enquiries: Nhlanhla Nyide (082 871 6767)