Honorable Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi
Director-General of the Department of Health
Director-General of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation
Chairperson of the SAMRC Board and fellow Board members
President and CEO of the SAMRC
President of Thermo Fisher Scientific in the Europe, the Middle East, and Africa Region
Distinguished guests from different embassies
Thermo Fisher Scientific leadership and team
Colleagues from the SAMRC
Esteemed representatives from universities
Public and private sector partners
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
It is a great honor to join you today at this momentous occasion for the scientific community and for our nation. The establishment of this training centre marks a significant milestone in our collective journey to advance research, innovation, and capacity building in South Africa.
I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the partners who have made this vision a reality: the SAMRC, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and my own department, the DSTI.
Your commitment and collaboration exemplify the spirit of partnership that is essential for driving scientific progress and societal impact.
The DSTI is proud to be one of the funders of CATIR. Our support for this center is rooted in our firm belief that advanced training and innovative research are the cornerstones of a knowledge-based economy. By investing in CATIR, we are investing in the future of South African science—empowering our researchers, nurturing young talent, and fostering an environment where innovation can thrive.
This launch is especially significant as it aligns with the implementation of the DSTI Decadal Plan 2022–2032 which has set out a bold vision for South Africa’s science, technology, and innovation landscape until 2032. At the heart of the Decadal Plan is the goal to build a transformed, inclusive, and coherent National System of Innovation (NSI). One that is responsive to the needs of our society and economy. A robust and integrated NSI is key to unlocking South Africa’s socioeconomic progress, addressing inequality, and ensuring that the benefits of science and innovation reach all our people.
CATIR will play a vital role in realizing this vision. As a hub for cutting-edge research and advanced training, it will help bridge gaps in our innovation system, promote inclusivity, and support the development of a diverse new generation of scientists and innovators. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and a focus on real-world challenges, CATIR will contribute directly to the objectives of the Decadal Plan and to the broader transformation of our NSI.
Our partnership with the SAMRC is a testament to the power of collaboration, as highlighted with the Strategic Health Innovation Partnership (SHIP), we have worked closely with the SAMRC to drive health innovation and support a number of groundbreaking research projects.
The SAMRC has consistently demonstrated its capacity as a trusted project management partner for DSTI-funded programmes, ensuring that our investments yield tangible results and a lasting impact. This initiative builds on the consistent programmes of the SAMRC to build capacity under our young scientists from universities such as Zululand, Limpopo, Venda and Walter Sisulu, where the necessary exposure to the latest equipment and techniques is not always available. This capacity building programme has already proven to be very successful as demonstrated by young scientists such as Miss Sinenhlanhla Mthembu who won the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)- Fellowships award category at the 2024 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWISA). With the assistance of SAMRC, she studied at the University of Zululand for her master’s degree and now her PhD at North West University.
We are delighted to welcome Thermo Fisher Scientific as a partner in this endeavor and are looking forward to the establishment of more training centers across South Africa and Africa, to further this vision of advancement in Africa-centric Health Innovation. Their expertise and resources will undoubtedly enhance the capabilities of CATIR and open new avenues for scientific discovery, and the future of South Africa’s young scientist community.
In closing, I would like to say let us continue to work together across sectors and disciplines to build a brighter, healthier, and more prosperous future for all.
Thank you very much.
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