5th RISG Biennial Research and Innovation Dialogue 2018

The 5th Biennial Research and Innovation Dialogue 2018 held at the Emperors’ Palace from 31 May to 01 June attracted up to 80 delegates. These included South African public universities’ vice-chancellors, deputy vice-chancellors and directors responsible for research and innovation. Also, in attendance were senior leaders from the National Research Foundation and other science councils, representatives of some embassies in South Africa (German, Japanese and Swiss), industry representatives and senior officials from the departments of Higher Education and Training and Science and Technology.

The 2018 two-day affair focused on two themes, namely, Postgraduate Training and Funding and Internationalisation and Inter-institutional Collaboration.

These Dialogues, an initiative of USAf’s Research and Innovation Strategy Group (RISG), provide a platform for senior academics, researchers, industry and other agencies to engage on matters of priority interest and concern pertaining to research and innovation.

Day 1:From left: Prof Cheryl de la Rey, Chairperson of Universities SA’s Research and Innovation Strategy Group and Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria; HE Helene Budliger Artieda, Swiss Ambassador to South Africa; Mrs Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, Hon Minister of Science and Technology; Prof Ahmed Bawa, USAf’s Chief Executive Officer and Dr Joanna Newman, Chief Executive and Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, who delivered a keynote address on Day One.

Day 2:The Dialogue delegation included, in the middle row, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Hon. Naledi Pandor — flanked on her right, by Prof Ahmed Bawa, USAf CEO (front row); Prof Cheryl de la Rey (back row), Chairperson of USAf’s Risk and Innovation Strategy Group, next to whom is Prof Thandwa Mthembu, Chairperson of the USAf Board. To the Minister’s immediate left is Dr Joanna Newman, Chief Executive and Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.