The Egyptian Minister of Scientific Research, H.E. Prof. Sherif Hammad accompanied by a high level delegation visited the CSIR on 8 April 2015. The delegation’s interest was on the CSIR’s information, communication and technology (ICT), biosciences (particularly plant biotechnology), remote sensing and space science research.
Prior to their visit at the CSIR, the delegation held a bilateral meeting with the South African Minister of Science and Technology Mrs Naledi Pandor on 7 April 2015 to review progress in the implementation of the bilateral agreement on scientific and technological cooperation that was signed on 26 August 1997.
The meeting resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Research Fund and the Egyptian Science and Technology Development Fund.
The MoU’s intention is improving coordination between the two institutions, in particular, to facilitate the implementation of a joint research programme. The two countries have jointly committed and funded three research calls.
At the CSIR, the delegation was welcomed by CSIR CEO Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, Strategic Alliances & Communication Group Executive Dr Rachel Chikwamba and the Executive Director for CSIR Natural Resources and Environment Professor May Hermanus.
“This is my first visit to an African counterpart outside of the Middle East; I am looking forward to working together to create companies, innovating together; and achieving solid impact and pay-back from our common research work for the sake of both our economies” said Minister Hammad explaining the overall long-term intention of the visit.
Dr Dashnie Naidoo, Dr Ntsibane Ntlatlapa and Drs Luthando Dziba and Renaud Mathieu gave high level presentations on their competence areas.
Both Dr Sibisi and Professor Hammad agreed that workshops between researchers from both countries need to take place in the near future to identify a core project that will benefit both countries in the short-term. They would like this to happen within the next year.
Click here for photos of the visit.
By Anna Semenya
