In a move to strengthen collaboration between science and education sectors, Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande and Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane have held a high-level meeting to align their departments' efforts in research, technology, and skills development.
The talks focused on enhancing coordination in infrastructure, human resource development, and shared projects within universities and TVET colleges, ensuring that science and innovation play a central role in shaping South Africa’s future.
“The meeting with Minister Nkabane focused on several critical issues in the science, technology, and innovation, and post-school education and training landscape.
“There was a strong emphasis on the need for the DSTI [Department of Science, Technology and Innovation] and DHET [Department of Higher Education & Training] to ensure greater coordination in such areas as research and infrastructure, technology, and human resources development and the common projects undertaken by both departments within universities and TVET [Technical and Vocational Education and Training] colleges,” the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation said in a statement.
Wednesday’s meeting was part of Minister Nzimande’s ongoing programme to engage with departments focused on science.
The department’s main objective for this engagement was to ensure that the mandate of the DSTI is fulfilled.
This will be achieved by securing support from key State departments for the critical focus areas outlined in the DSTI’s Decadal Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation (2022-2032).
Nzimande’s programme to engage science-intensive State departments is also informed by the DSTI’s recently adopted mantra, which is: “Placing Science, Technology and Innovation at the Centre of Government, Education, Industry and Society.”
Through this mantra, the DSTI seeks to significantly raise the profile and impact of science, technology, and innovation within government and across key sectors of society.
The Ministers also stressed the importance of facilitating access for both departments to strategic national and international platforms and networks, strategic partnerships, and opportunities.
The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and the exchange of critical information between the two departments.
“The Ministers further agreed to set up an inter-departmental committee that will coordinate key joint projects and the overall cooperation between the two departments.
“The Ministers further agreed to a follow-up meeting, which will be held soon to assess progress on some of the commitments made in the meeting. The meeting was very cordial and productive,” the Ministry said on Thursday. – SAnews.gov.za
