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By Amy Musgrave
South Africa and Cuba have agreed that the science, technology and innovation (STI) agreement between the two countries must be formally renewed by the end of the year.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande led a senior delegation to the island in the Caribbean this month, mainly to renew and explore opportunities to strengthen the existing STI deal that was first signed in 2001.
The delegates were from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the National Research Foundation and the Technology Innovation Agency.
Speaking at the signing of the Statement of Intent to renew the agreement and expand areas of cooperation, Nzimande expressed the importance of the visit.
“Our visit to Cuba and the engagements we held further solidifies the long-standing collaboration based on mutual respect, solidarity and a shared goal of inclusive and transformative growth through scientific advancement,” he said.
As the minister responsible for science, technology, and innovation, I am championing the mantra of positioning science, technology, and innovation at the centre of government, education, industry and society in South Africa.
“It is only through investments in science, technology, and innovation that any nation in the world can succeed and realise its full potential of socio-economic development and competitiveness.”
Nzimande and his Cuban counterpart, Cuban Armando Rodríguez Batista, have committed to strengthening friendship, and exchange and cooperation in the field of science and technology.
They further acknowledged that science and technology were essential tools in a knowledge-based society and recognised that cooperation in various science and technology disciplines would increase the economic and social development of both countries.
Nzimande also held discussions with the Cuban Ministers of Education, Energy, Foreign Affairs and Public Health to explore cooperation in areas prioritised by South Africa such as the joint training programmes at master’s and PhD level, renewable energy technologies such as hydrogen economy, joint research in nuclear medicine, cancer treatment and joint training programmes in specialised fields in medical sciences.
He emphasised the importance of continuing institution-to-institution engagement such as the discussions between South Africa’s Technology Innovation Agency and Cuba’s Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. This was intended to, amongst others, forge meaningful biopharmaceutical sector alliances.
Nzimande and Batista agreed to establish a regular science and technology policy dialogue where the two countries could exchange ideas and cross benchmark their respective national systems of innovation.
Batista indicated that Cuba was in the process of developing legislation for its science system. Through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, South Africa intends to undertake a similar process soon.
Batista emphasised the importance of jointly funded research projects in such key areas as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and ICT, which formed part of the research priorities of both countries.
On the way forward, Nzimande said: “As we work towards renewing our existing agreement to be signed before the end of 2025, as an immediate response to this visit, the senior officials and experts should immediately develop a joint Programme of Action outlining our goals, timelines, and expected outcomes on the various areas of cooperation which we discussed.”
He said that the partnership with Cuba embodied the essence of global scientific and technological collaboration driven by the needs of the citizens of the countries.
INSIDE EDUCATION