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By Lungile Ntimba
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande is leading a high-level South African delegation on a working visit in Tunisia and Algeria this week to strengthen collaboration in science, technology and innovation (STI).
The visit, which ends on Thursday, follows invitations from Tunisian Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Mondher Belaid and Algerian Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Kamel Bidari.
“Through these visits, minister Nzimande seeks to reinforce existing science, technology and innovation bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Tunisia and Algeria, as part of a broader commitment to grow the size and intensity of intra-Africa STI cooperation for development,” the department said in a statement.
The programme includes bilateral meetings with both countries’ ministers, as well as visits to leading science institutions.
In Tunisia, Nzimande is expected to tour the Borj Cedria Technopark, the Pasteur Institute of Tunis, the Bardo National Museum for Arts and the City of Science Museum.
In Algeria, he will visit the Centre for the Development of Advanced Technologies, Saad Dahlab University and the Great Mosque of Algiers.
Nzimande will also attend a guest lecture focusing on Pan-African cooperation.
“Our visit to Algeria and Tunisia forms part of our long-standing international relations strategy to strengthen meaningful science, technology and innovation cooperation with fellow African countries, and to advance the objectives of the African Union’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA),” Nzimande said.
“All our efforts are therefore aimed towards developing what we refer to as a sovereign science, technology, and innovation agenda for Africa.”
The visit will conclude with the adoption of two new comprehensive plans of action, aimed at intensifying cooperation with Tunisia and Algeria, respectively.
According to the department, these engagements represent a concrete step in advancing South Africa’s science diplomacy goals, as outlined by Nzimande during his recent budget vote speech.
Nzimande is accompanied by senior officials from the ministry, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Technology Innovation Agency and the Council for Mineral Technology.
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