Date: 16/08/2005
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: Hanekom: Sasol Techno-X Exhibition
Keynote address by the Honourable Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, at the Sasol Techno-X Exhibition
Members of Sasol Management,
Colleagues from National and Provincial Government,
Educators and Learners,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Good evening to all of you.
I am honoured to be part of this important event in Sasol’s calendar, the fifth anniversary of the Sasol Techno-X exhibition. The success of the past four exhibitions and the growing appreciation of this event are evident from the number of exhibitors that are participating in this event. By encouraging other players in the National System of Innovation to participate actively, Sasol continues to show strong corporate leadership in helping build the South African Science and Technology system.
The Department of Science and Technology encourages events such as this that seeks to awaken an interest in the sciences amongst the youth of our country. The importance of these awareness campaigns in forging a new type of young person who not only appreciates the sciences but seeks to excel in mathematics and technology cannot be overemphasised.
The learners who will visit this exhibition constitute the nucleus of our plan to overhaul our country’s science and technology human resources base. In order to achieve our goals, we need to continue investing in the renewal and growth of our science and technology human resources. We live in exciting and challenging times. We need to broaden our skills net to take full advantage of our abundance of talent and in so doing reverse the tragic legacy of denied opportunity for the majority of our population. Every young person, black or white, girl or boy, including young people from households with limited means, must be given the opportunity to contribute their skills and talents for the enrichment of our country.
Failure to respond to these challenges will undermine our country’s research and development (R&D) capability and lead to stagnation, at a time when high quality research and its creative application has become the key factor in the growth of the global economy.
In 2001, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries allocated approximately $645 billion to research and development. We all know that our country has set itself a target of 1% of GDP to R&D BY 2008. We rely on efforts of companies such as Sasol to help accelerate our drive towards this goal or even surpass it. Currently, we stand at 0.81% of GDP spend on R&D while Korea, for example spends 2.64% of their national budget on R&D and they have already set themselves ambitious new targets to increase this allocation.
Science exhibitions such as this one play a key role in science education. It is here that children are given the opportunity to learn in a practical way about the role that science plays in our lives, and to gain information about careers in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET).
Adequate knowledge and understanding of science strengthens confidence and self-reliance among our people. This is the only way to maximise public participation in science and technology. Without this participation, these processes will remain the preserve of a select few.
A key element of a sound and growing National System of Innovation (NSI) is the engagement of the South African youth. Their access to information and decisions about careers in SET is of great importance. Public appreciation of the value of science and technology and its role in uplifting South Africa’s historically disadvantaged communities needs further funding and strengthening
My Department has a range of initiatives to attract learners to SET careers and promote public understanding of science, engineering and technology. It is against this background that we consider increased participation and performance of our youth in mathematics and science as a priority. Our efforts are further complemented by the Department of Education’s plans to make mathematics or mathematical literacy compulsory subjects in schools as from next year.
In browsing through the different exhibitors’ profiles I was thoroughly impressed to see some of our home-grown innovative ideas, products, technologies, services and solutions that will drive South Africa forward and inspire young minds.
These young minds are central to the economy of this country. The competitiveness of a country today depends on its capability to create innovations that are based on science and technology, and on its industries’ ability to turn them into products and services for the world market. It is only through sustained and increased investment in science and technology, combined with competitive strategies that we can improve our position in the global economy.
To all visitors at Sasol Techno-X, I would like to encourage you to explore and discover this broad range of products, technologies, ideas, innovations and scientific developments that are showcased here.
I was delighted to hear that one of the shows on the programme this week, is a very creative piece of art, Imagining Einstein. I have no doubt it will reinforce your belief in science and the seminal contribution of Einstein to scientific theory and discoveries.
This year marks the International Year of Physics. We celebrate the three famous papers published by Einstein a century ago in 1905. It is my hope and wish that young people visiting the exhibition will use the power of imagination to elevate scientific thinking and innovation. We would like to urge all learners to explore the wonders of mathematics, science and technology; these are truly tools that can change the world. You may not be a classical Einstein, but you live in a world and an era of exciting possibilities.
My department has had a number of positive partnerships with Sasol in its leadership role as a key South African technology company. We hope that this exhibition can also be seen as an opportunity to:
* Place a focus on S&T solutions and enable S&T experts from across the country to identify joint activities to promote economic growth in our country;
* Promote S&T partnerships for sustainable development; and
* Provide networking opportunities within the National System of Innovation.
Finally, I would like to thank Sasol for their continued support for our R&D initiatives and commitment to developing and maintaining intellectual capital to address the challenges of our economy.
Thank you and do enjoy the rest of the evening.
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
16 August 2005
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: Hanekom: Sasol Techno-X Exhibition
Keynote address by the Honourable Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, at the Sasol Techno-X Exhibition
Members of Sasol Management,
Colleagues from National and Provincial Government,
Educators and Learners,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Good evening to all of you.
I am honoured to be part of this important event in Sasol’s calendar, the fifth anniversary of the Sasol Techno-X exhibition. The success of the past four exhibitions and the growing appreciation of this event are evident from the number of exhibitors that are participating in this event. By encouraging other players in the National System of Innovation to participate actively, Sasol continues to show strong corporate leadership in helping build the South African Science and Technology system.
The Department of Science and Technology encourages events such as this that seeks to awaken an interest in the sciences amongst the youth of our country. The importance of these awareness campaigns in forging a new type of young person who not only appreciates the sciences but seeks to excel in mathematics and technology cannot be overemphasised.
The learners who will visit this exhibition constitute the nucleus of our plan to overhaul our country’s science and technology human resources base. In order to achieve our goals, we need to continue investing in the renewal and growth of our science and technology human resources. We live in exciting and challenging times. We need to broaden our skills net to take full advantage of our abundance of talent and in so doing reverse the tragic legacy of denied opportunity for the majority of our population. Every young person, black or white, girl or boy, including young people from households with limited means, must be given the opportunity to contribute their skills and talents for the enrichment of our country.
Failure to respond to these challenges will undermine our country’s research and development (R&D) capability and lead to stagnation, at a time when high quality research and its creative application has become the key factor in the growth of the global economy.
In 2001, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries allocated approximately $645 billion to research and development. We all know that our country has set itself a target of 1% of GDP to R&D BY 2008. We rely on efforts of companies such as Sasol to help accelerate our drive towards this goal or even surpass it. Currently, we stand at 0.81% of GDP spend on R&D while Korea, for example spends 2.64% of their national budget on R&D and they have already set themselves ambitious new targets to increase this allocation.
Science exhibitions such as this one play a key role in science education. It is here that children are given the opportunity to learn in a practical way about the role that science plays in our lives, and to gain information about careers in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET).
Adequate knowledge and understanding of science strengthens confidence and self-reliance among our people. This is the only way to maximise public participation in science and technology. Without this participation, these processes will remain the preserve of a select few.
A key element of a sound and growing National System of Innovation (NSI) is the engagement of the South African youth. Their access to information and decisions about careers in SET is of great importance. Public appreciation of the value of science and technology and its role in uplifting South Africa’s historically disadvantaged communities needs further funding and strengthening
My Department has a range of initiatives to attract learners to SET careers and promote public understanding of science, engineering and technology. It is against this background that we consider increased participation and performance of our youth in mathematics and science as a priority. Our efforts are further complemented by the Department of Education’s plans to make mathematics or mathematical literacy compulsory subjects in schools as from next year.
In browsing through the different exhibitors’ profiles I was thoroughly impressed to see some of our home-grown innovative ideas, products, technologies, services and solutions that will drive South Africa forward and inspire young minds.
These young minds are central to the economy of this country. The competitiveness of a country today depends on its capability to create innovations that are based on science and technology, and on its industries’ ability to turn them into products and services for the world market. It is only through sustained and increased investment in science and technology, combined with competitive strategies that we can improve our position in the global economy.
To all visitors at Sasol Techno-X, I would like to encourage you to explore and discover this broad range of products, technologies, ideas, innovations and scientific developments that are showcased here.
I was delighted to hear that one of the shows on the programme this week, is a very creative piece of art, Imagining Einstein. I have no doubt it will reinforce your belief in science and the seminal contribution of Einstein to scientific theory and discoveries.
This year marks the International Year of Physics. We celebrate the three famous papers published by Einstein a century ago in 1905. It is my hope and wish that young people visiting the exhibition will use the power of imagination to elevate scientific thinking and innovation. We would like to urge all learners to explore the wonders of mathematics, science and technology; these are truly tools that can change the world. You may not be a classical Einstein, but you live in a world and an era of exciting possibilities.
My department has had a number of positive partnerships with Sasol in its leadership role as a key South African technology company. We hope that this exhibition can also be seen as an opportunity to:
* Place a focus on S&T solutions and enable S&T experts from across the country to identify joint activities to promote economic growth in our country;
* Promote S&T partnerships for sustainable development; and
* Provide networking opportunities within the National System of Innovation.
Finally, I would like to thank Sasol for their continued support for our R&D initiatives and commitment to developing and maintaining intellectual capital to address the challenges of our economy.
Thank you and do enjoy the rest of the evening.
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
16 August 2005
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