BRICS Young Scientist Forum to be held in Gqeberha

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) will host the BRICS Young Scientist Forum (YSF) from 31 July to 2 August 2023, focusing on transforming skills development for the future.

The YSF precedes the 2023 BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Ministerial Meeting, which takes place on Friday, 4 August, under the theme "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism".

The BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting is part of a series of activities leading up to South Africa's hosting of the 15th BRICS Summit in August 2023.  South Africa assumed the BRICS rotating presidency on 1 January 2023.

Fifty South African scientists under the age of 40 will be among 200 master's and PhD students from BRICS countries who will meet to discuss themes aligned to South Africa's Societal Grand Challenges, such as climate change and the future of society, among other topics.

The themes are an effort to reform sustainable inclusive development in Africa and the Global South by unlocking economic opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area and strengthening post-pandemic socio-economic recovery.

Organised by the DSI's entities, the Technology Innovation Agency and the Academy of Science of South Africa, the forum will also host the Young Innovators Prize (YIP) and exchange with BRICS young scientists to reward innovations with societal benefit.  The themes for this year's YIP are: modernising the manufacturing, agriculture, and mining sectors; and exploiting opportunities in the digital and circular economies – all of which are aligned with the Department's Decadal Plan.

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande will host a dinner to recognise the winners of the YIP and to acknowledge the participation of the BRICS young scientists.

The media are invited as follows:

BRICS Young Scientist Forum launch

Date:               Monday, 31 July 2023

Time:              09:00 –12:15

Venue:           Boardwalk Hotel, Casino and Convention Centre, Beach Rd, Gqeberha

Ministerial Dinner

Date:               Thursday, 3 August 2023

Time:              19:00 – 21:30

Venue:           The Coachman Restaurant, Beach Rd, Gqeberha

To RSVP, contact Thabang Setlhare at 072 659 9690 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Zama Mthethwa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..za or 082 808 3956.

Issued by the Department of Science and Innovation.