South Africa-Swiss science, technology and innovation partnership celebrated
South Africa and Switzerland have enjoyed a relationship in science, technology and innovation (STI) for many years. The two countries have carried out joint research projects, cooperated on the Swiss-South Africa Business Development Programme, and created two bilateral research chairs.
Switzerland supports South Africa's objective of establishing a coherent and inclusive system of innovation to catalyse economic growth and employment, create livelihoods at grassroots level and strengthen competitiveness.
In the context of the collaboration, Switzerland has invited a multi-stakeholder STI delegation, including the Department of Science and Innovation, to Switzerland from 22 to 27 September 2019 for a South African innovation mission.
The aim of the mission is to foster bilateral cooperation by exposing the delegation to the Swiss research and innovation landscape, and facilitate the identification of new synergies and potential partnerships. Core to the visit is the sharing of knowledge about characteristics of the Swiss innovation ecosystem, which includes national policies, industry-to-market mechanisms and the development of innovation clusters.
During the same period, a University of Venda delegation will be travelling to Switzerland to visit a number of universities of applied sciences, which form an integral part of the Swiss higher education landscape. Early in 2020, the University of Venda, in partnership with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, will hold a summer school focusing on applied research in energy efficiency and green building.
On 23 September, the 5th SA-Switzerland Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology will take place in Berne. The committee is an overarching intergovernmental structure established after the two countries signed a bilateral agreement on cooperation in science and technology in 2007. Its function is to make decisions and review progress in the STI work done between the two countries.
Issued by the Department of Science and Innovation and the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa.
Enquiries:
Swiss Embassy: Jacquelene Friedenthal at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Department of Science and Innovation: Taslima Viljoen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
