Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande has proposed a pact between government, universities, science councils and industry. He said it would strengthen South Africa’s research and develop skilled people.
Nzimande outlined the plan on Tuesday at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted the meeting with university vice-chancellors and national science councils, according to SAnews.
“It must be a working agreement, not simply a declaration of goodwill,” Nzimande said.
The minister said the pact would bring together his department and the Department of Higher Education and Training. Universities, science councils, private companies and state-owned enterprises would also take part.
He said the pact would set out clear responsibilities and name the institutions that lead each task. It would also cover agreed contributions and milestones. Rules for intellectual property, publication and access to research facilities would form part of it.
Nzimande asked for cooperation to protect intellectual property that comes from publicly funded research. He said a wider commercialisation strategy should support this where needed.
The minister said countries are competing harder over new technologies. He said South Africa must build its own scientific and technological abilities while still working with other countries.
He urged universities to build closer partnerships across Africa and the Global South. He said their value should be measured by researchers trained, abilities strengthened and solutions developed.
Nzimande also spoke about the Presidential PhD programme. He said it should help candidates finish their research and use their skills in areas of national priority. He said the programme should not focus only on raising the number of participants.
He encouraged universities, science councils and industry to look at joint supervision and research placements. He said these should come with safeguards for academic standards.
Nzimande said his ministry is looking at setting up Science and Technology Parks in each Special Economic Zone. He said he visited the Coega Industrial Development Zone in September to discuss a proposed Science and Innovation Park. In October he visited the existing Science and Technology Park in the East London Industrial Development Zone.
He urged universities to take part in demand and feasibility studies for the parks. He said the studies would define each park’s focus and the businesses it would serve. They would also clarify who runs the parks, how they are funded and how smaller firms get access.
“The ultimate test will be whether these parks turn knowledge into useful products, processes, and enterprises, not merely whether we have constructed new facilities,” the minister said.
Nzimande called for better use of existing Technology Stations at Universities of Technology. He said the Institute for Advanced Tooling at Walter Sisulu University could support industrialisation in the Buffalo City area.
The minister said the proposals reflect his department’s new strategic direction. He said the aim is to place science, technology and innovation at the centre of government, education, industry and society.
Source: this article is based on reporting by SAnews.gov.za. Image: GCIS via SAnews.gov.za. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.