Date: 10/02/2004
Source: Deputy Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: B Sonjica: Signing Programme of Co-operation between SA & Belarus
SPEECH BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MS B SONJICA, AT THE OCCASION OF SIGNING THE PROGRAMME OF CO-OPERATION AND PROTOCOL OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WITH BELARUS, PRETORIA 10 February 2004
Let me start by welcoming you, Dr Pleskachevsky, and members of your delegation. It is an honour for me to be able to meet with you today at this momentous occasion. Though the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Co-operation between our two countries was signed by my former colleague, Dr Ngubane, in November 2002, I believe that this is an important occasion since it marks the beginning of real co-operation between our two countries. The Programme of Co-operation that we are signing outlines the priority areas and the modalities of this co-operation and gives the framework under which joint projects will be executed.
My officials tell me that the first meeting of the Joint Committee that was held earlier today has been a success and agreement was reached on important issues such as the functions of the Committee, which was formally established today in the framework of the Agreement.
South Africa shares a long history with east European countries from the days of the liberation struggle until now. Evidence of that is borne out by scientists and engineers who had the privilege to qualify in your country during those years. Your country is one of the major players in this region and it is befitting that it should be one of South Africa's main co-operation partners in the region, especially in the areas of science and technology. Your country boasts outstanding quality in its scientific research and has an impressive stock of expertise in areas such as chemistry and physics.
The department has initiated a programme that is aimed at bringing scarce skills in important areas to South Africa for limited periods of time, as well as to facilitate the mobility of scientists and technologists between our two countries. It is hoped that Belarus will be an important partner in the implementation of this programme. In this regard work has already begun in collaboration with Belarus, and my department has made available funding to MINTEK to start a flagship project on ion exchange fibre processes, which may have far reaching applications, not only in the extraction of metals but also in purifying water, which is one of the main social problems in South Africa. Projects of this nature are crucial in improving the lives of all South Africans and my department will continue to support them.
An area of international priority is that of biotechnology and its various sub disciplines. I am pleased to note that this important area of research co-operation and possible development activities are being discussed during your visit. We identified other areas of mutual interest such as laser technologies. The industrial and health applications of these technologies are both exciting and rewarding. Your visit to scientific and technological institutions will assist you in improving your knowledge of our science system and, I trust, will lead to new cooperative ventures to our mutual benefit.
I wish you a pleasant and fruitful stay in South Africa and hope that this visit will mark the beginning of a healthy and productive relationship in between our scientists and technologists in their efforts to help build innovative societies.
Issued by: Deputy Ministry of Science and Technology
10 February 2004
Source: Deputy Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: B Sonjica: Signing Programme of Co-operation between SA & Belarus
SPEECH BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MS B SONJICA, AT THE OCCASION OF SIGNING THE PROGRAMME OF CO-OPERATION AND PROTOCOL OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WITH BELARUS, PRETORIA 10 February 2004
Let me start by welcoming you, Dr Pleskachevsky, and members of your delegation. It is an honour for me to be able to meet with you today at this momentous occasion. Though the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Co-operation between our two countries was signed by my former colleague, Dr Ngubane, in November 2002, I believe that this is an important occasion since it marks the beginning of real co-operation between our two countries. The Programme of Co-operation that we are signing outlines the priority areas and the modalities of this co-operation and gives the framework under which joint projects will be executed.
My officials tell me that the first meeting of the Joint Committee that was held earlier today has been a success and agreement was reached on important issues such as the functions of the Committee, which was formally established today in the framework of the Agreement.
South Africa shares a long history with east European countries from the days of the liberation struggle until now. Evidence of that is borne out by scientists and engineers who had the privilege to qualify in your country during those years. Your country is one of the major players in this region and it is befitting that it should be one of South Africa's main co-operation partners in the region, especially in the areas of science and technology. Your country boasts outstanding quality in its scientific research and has an impressive stock of expertise in areas such as chemistry and physics.
The department has initiated a programme that is aimed at bringing scarce skills in important areas to South Africa for limited periods of time, as well as to facilitate the mobility of scientists and technologists between our two countries. It is hoped that Belarus will be an important partner in the implementation of this programme. In this regard work has already begun in collaboration with Belarus, and my department has made available funding to MINTEK to start a flagship project on ion exchange fibre processes, which may have far reaching applications, not only in the extraction of metals but also in purifying water, which is one of the main social problems in South Africa. Projects of this nature are crucial in improving the lives of all South Africans and my department will continue to support them.
An area of international priority is that of biotechnology and its various sub disciplines. I am pleased to note that this important area of research co-operation and possible development activities are being discussed during your visit. We identified other areas of mutual interest such as laser technologies. The industrial and health applications of these technologies are both exciting and rewarding. Your visit to scientific and technological institutions will assist you in improving your knowledge of our science system and, I trust, will lead to new cooperative ventures to our mutual benefit.
I wish you a pleasant and fruitful stay in South Africa and hope that this visit will mark the beginning of a healthy and productive relationship in between our scientists and technologists in their efforts to help build innovative societies.
Issued by: Deputy Ministry of Science and Technology
10 February 2004
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