28 MARCH 2000
Cape Town - Speaking earlier this year at the first meeting of the Committee of Heads of Organisations of Research and Technology (COHORT) this year, Dr Ben Ngubane, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology announced to the Heads of Science Councils and other key figures in the sector that he recently accepted the position of Chair of the Commonwealth Science Council (CSC). The Minister became the new Chairperson of the CSC at the end of the "CSC 2000" meetings held from February 20 - 25 in Trinidad, marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the CSC.
Dr. Ngubane has made history by taking an active role as Minister in chairing the Council and its Committees, leading by action and at the same time providing the CSC with a high level platform to promote Commonwealth co-operation.
The "CSC 2000" events began with a 2-day Seminar for CSC members on Promoting Champions of Innovation in Commonwealth Countries. In his speech, Minister Ngubane said he wished to take an active role in fostering innovation throughout the Commonwealth. His vision of the CSC in this area of endeavour is that of a vehicle to bring together key stakeholders in government, industry and universities in both the formal and informal sectors to explore and exploit opportunities for innovation in niche areas.
Dr. Ngubane also drew attention to the need to harness indigenous capacity to design innovative solutions to development problems in Africa and Commonwealth countries. With this challenge in mind, he suggested that no single country could act in isolation and that partnerships were critical to achieving optimal impact.
At the Trinidad Seminar, two teams of international experts in innovation supported Minister Ngubane. One led by Professor Michael Gibbons, (Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities) who is a world leader and a "guru" in the field of science policy research. Dr. Uri Ofir, a leading expert in Technology Transfer, led the other. Both are External Advisers on Innovation to the Commonwealth Science Council.
At the 20th meeting of the CSC, the Council accepted the offer of South Africa to host the 21st meeting. In assuming the chair, Minister Ngubane offered a few thoughts on what he could contribute as chairperson to raise the visibility of the CSC and highlight its increasing relevance and role in innovation, knowledge networking and S&T. As a target for the CSC meeting to be held in South Africa in 2003, Minister Ngubane suggested that this could be a back-to-back meeting of experts (innovation, S&T) followed by a one day Ministerial meeting.
The leadership of Minister Ngubane has coincided with a period of considerable change for the CSC, which in 1998 and 1999 was subjected to two major reviews of its mandate, modus operandi and programme. A revitalised CSC with Dr. Ngubane at the helm providing vision, leadership and guidance will no doubt result in increased effectiveness and value for member countries, and the next triennium therefore promises to be an exciting period for CSC members and their networks.
Copies of Dr Ngubane's speeches at the CSC are available on the
following web-sites: - http://www.gov.za
http://www.dacst.gov.za
Further inquiries: Ms Kimberley Worthington
Tel: (021) 465 4850