SA TECHNIKONS TO BE SHOWCASED AT EVENT IN BRUSSELS

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs

3 April 2001

MEDIA STATEMENT ON SOUTH AFRICAN TECHNIKONS TO BE SHOWCASED AT EVENT IN BRUSSELS

The South African Embassy and Mission to the European Union in Brussels, in co-operation with the Committee of Technikon Principals and the National Research Foundation, will be presenting a "Technikon Conference and Expo" in Brussels on 3 and 4 April 2001. The new South African Ambassador in Brussels, Ambassador Jerry Matthews Matjila, will host the event. The specific objectives of the Conference and Expo are:

• To introduce the South African technikons to counterpart institutions in Europe;
• To promote co-operation between technikons and European partners in areas such as research and innovation, curriculum development, student and staff exchange as well as community development projects;
• To explore accessing instruments such as South Africa's science and Technology Co-operation Agreement with the European Union, to support collaboration between technikons and European partners;
• To foster closer academic/industrial co-operation through partnerships involving South African and European companies.

Representatives of all of South Africa's 15 technikons will be travelling to Brussels to present information stands at the Expo.

The Conference programme will include contributions by senior South African and European officials, examining the common research and education challenges faced by institutions in South Africa and Europe, and the scope for collaboration in meeting them. Examples of existing successful co-operation between technikons and European partners will also be highlighted.

The Conference and Expo will be held at ACP House, the Brussels headuarters of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of which South Africa is a member. Participants will include representatives of European universities, research institutes and industry, as well as officials of European Commission and European governments.

The event will significantly strengthen research and academic co-operation between South African institutions and partners in the European Union.

Released by the South African Embassy to Belgium and Luxembourg and Mission to the European Union Brussels, 2 April 2001

For enquiries contact Basetsana Thokoane Cell No: 083 443 7740 Tel No: (012) 351-0174

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs PRIVATE BAG X152 Pretoria 0001 03 APRIL 2001