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Keynote Address by Deputy Minister Derek Hanekom, at the launch of the South African National Nanotechnology Strategy
2006-04-13 13:35
Mintek, Randburg
Deputy Minister
False
Keynote Address by the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, at the Launch of the South African National Nanotechnology Strategy 13 April 2006 Venue: Mintek, Randburg To our host this morning, Dr Paul Jordaan of Mintek; Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen It’s a great pleasure and honour to be a part of today’s celebration of this milestone achievement and to officially launch South Africa’s National Nanotechnology Strategy. As our country prepares for the "third global technology wave", this strategy provides the vessel - and outboard motor - towards ensuring that we are better equipped to successfully ride the anticipated "crest" of nanotechnology. In opening, I would like to thank all our strategic partners, and the South African Nanotechnology Initiative (SANI) in particular, who have been a driving force in bringing all the relevant stakeholders and experts from the private sector, academia, labour and government together, for the development of a South African National Nanotechnology Strategy. I would also like to thank Mintek, who, in demonstrating some of the actual applications of nanotechnology here today, have already commenced with enhancing public (and admittedly my own) understanding of this powerful little giant that enables us to manipulate materials and particles that are about 1/80,000th of the diameter of a human hair! And that, as they say, is no small feat! Nanotechnology is profoundly impacting on our world today and is internationally acclaimed as having the potential to provide greater efficiency in energy use; help protect the environment by reducing waste and harmful emissions; and to solve major health problems. Nanotechnology and the nanosciences are currently high on the international research agenda. Governments in Europe, the USA and Japan are currently spending over $600 million every year in this growing area of scientific discovery. In fact, many governments, particularly in the developed world, are of the view that this technology will now usher in a new era of economic growth through enhanced innovation and increased productivity. For the developing world, according to a 2005 Report of the UN Millennium Project Task Force on Science, Technology and Innovation: "Nanotechnology is likely to be particularly important ... because it involves little labour, land or maintenance; it is highly productive and inexpensive and it requires only modest amounts of materials and energy".In line with this, the developing world has also seen increased public spending on nanotechnology research and development. South Africa, India, Brazil and China have all committed public resources towards the creation of national nanotechnology infrastructure and research; and have sought partnerships with industry stakeholders aimed at harnessing this technology for enhanced economic growth and global competitiveness. Let us just briefly remind ourselves of the scale of the challenge: According to the World Bank and World Health Organisation estimates:
The effective application of Nanotechnology can contribute towards eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; improved environmental sustainability, as well as greater success in the fight against HIV/Aids and other diseases. Is this all a dream? Is it not just the stuff of a new wave of science fiction that has shifted focus to the potential power of very small things that we can’t actually see? No, this is for real, the DST scientists tell me, and so does the Internet. Nanotechnology has the potential to develop a range of applications to, for example, increase soil fertility and crop production. It could provide rural villages with portable systems that purify, detoxify and desalinate water through ‘intelligent membranes’. It can certainly provide solutions for improved drug delivery through the development of biodegradable polymers that ensure sustained and gradual release treatments. Furthermore, nanotech microbiocides could substantially reduce the risk of HIV infection in women. It is therefore the poor that stand to benefit most from existing and emerging nanotechnologies, provided of course that public funding and policies are aimed at effectively spreading these benefits in order to balance social and economic development priorities. In South Africa, research in nanotechnology has focused on applications for social development as well as for industrial growth. To date, the country’s nanotechnology advances have already proven its potential to provide cleaner, more efficient and renewable energy sources through the development of inexpensive solar cells; the development of nanomembrane technology for water purification to help reduce exposure to water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid; as well as fuel cell development for powering the ‘hydrogen economy’ and providing alternatives to non-renewable, fossil fuel consumption. Private sector interests and multi-sectoral partnerships in nanotechnology applications throughout the country have also focused on advances in the chemicals and fuel industries, energy and telecommunications, water, mining, paints and paper manufacturing. On the basis of South Africa’s achievements in nanotechnology thus far, we therefore have the potential to become global pioneers for the further development and application of this dynamic area of science and technology in our own country and beyond For South Africa to maximize benefits derived from nanotechnology however, the country must stay abreast of this fast developing field. This is being done through the creation of an enabling policy environment aimed at developing and nurturing the country’s intellectual property regime and an active and effective R&D and innovation process, where good ideas can be transformed into economically and socially valuable products. The South African National Nanotechnology Strategy that we are launching today was approved by Cabinet towards the end of last year. It aims to ensure that our country is ready to optimally use nanotechnology to enhance our global competitiveness, and to achieve our social development and economic growth targets. The Strategy articulates opportunities presented by this new wave of technology as well as our intention to invest substantial amounts of funding in the creation of infrastructure which will drive Nanotechnology development. R450 million has already been allocated over the next three years. It is the vision of the strategy "to draw upon existing strengths of the national system of innovation while addressing the need to enhance its research infrastructure and to create a workforce for advanced technology businesses that support the country’s future competitiveness and enhanced quality of life.". In line with the objectives of the National Research and Development Strategy, the key focal points of the National Nanotechnology Strategy address the need to create opportunities for human capital development and the development of research and development infrastructure. The purpose of research is to generate new knowledge, which not only enables us to better understand nature and our environment, including our interactions with others, but also enables us to better manipulate, use and manage the environment to our advantage. Research has become a global commodity and a powerful potential agent for change. In a fast changing global economy, no institution or country can survive unless it meets the demands set by the local and global community through research. In the South African academic and research spheres, it is therefore important that collaborative networks are created in order to improve our research capacity and address the inequalities between historically white and historically black institutions. Equally important is for South Africa to co-operate with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) respectively. These networks will also provide a valuable link for our researchers with similar networks that have been established in India, Brazil, Europe and the rest of the world. The South African National Nanotechnology Strategy has now been launched and is ready for roll-out. This roll-out will focus on four key focal areas:
These stakeholders include academia, research institutes and industry. In order to maximise the use of our own intellectual property and to realise business opportunities we must together seek to invest in technologies that will enable us to commercialise our nanotechnology products in the global arena. It is therefore the Department of Science and Technology’s intention that all our Nanotechnology stakeholders will use this Strategy to assess their business opportunities and to align their individual strategies for investment in research and innovation. Nanotechnology could become one of the priority areas for attracting international investment in South Africa. As government we are determined to give our local sector every opportunity to mature responsibly as an African leader in Nanotechnology. Government is therefore committed to creating the best possible climate - regulatory, politically, and economically - for Nanotechnology investment and this launch serves as a rallying call to industry to join us in developing a sustainable nano-economy. Nanotechnology already produces today what was, not so long ago, predicted only in the context of science fiction. No longer submerged with the treasures of Jules Verne’s “2000 Leagues Under the Sea”, our advances in nanotech to date enable us to confidently sail the high seas of technologically driven development. In the face of the huge challenges confronting humanity – poverty and underdevelopment; global climate change; depletion of the energy sources we have become so reliant on, and the threat of new virus strains, we have no choice: we have to apply the best of our science and technology in the search for solutions. We have to predict rough seas and alter our course accordingly. We must develop our collective capacity to intelligently harness the full potential of this powerful technology of small things – so that we can achieve big things! Thank you. |
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