Collaborative Agreement Signed between South Africa's National Research Foundation (NRF) and UNESCO's Affiliate, Aimed at Bolstering Science, Tech, and Innovation Progress
The International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC) and South Africa's National Research Foundation (NRF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marking a significant step in fostering a more connected and innovative scientific community.
The partnership, which reaffirms a shared commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable development through science, technology, and innovation, aims to create opportunities for co-creation, knowledge exchange, and impactful joint initiatives across the Global South.
The MoU includes provisions for the joint mobilisation of resources to support priority initiatives, such as collaborative research in areas like artificial intelligence, climate change, health, and water. These areas are aligned with national and global priorities.
One of the key objectives of the partnership is capacity building. It seeks to enhance the skills and expertise of early- and mid-career researchers in the Global South through capacity-building programs designed to support researchers in developing nations.
The partnership will also facilitate the exchange of knowledge, scientific expertise, and innovation between the institutions. This includes the exchange of research findings and best practices to foster stronger scientific communities across the Global South.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials, researchers, and partners from both countries. Dr Nare Prudence Makhura, Executive Director: International Grants and Partnerships at the NRF, and Professor Dr Mohd Basyaruddin Abd Rahman, Chair of ISTIC’s Governing Board, signed the MoU.
Tengku Sharizad Tengku Dahlan, Director of ISTIC, expressed hope for stronger people-to-people connections and a robust innovation ecosystem as a result of the partnership. Michael Nxumalo, Director of Future Earth Africa Hub and its Leadership Centre, and Manager of NRF, is also involved in the partnership.
The ISTIC-NRF partnership reinforces the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges. It underscores the importance of South-South cooperation in addressing global challenges through scientific advancement and technological innovation, aiming to strengthen ties between researchers and communities across the Global South.
This strategic alliance represents a significant step in fostering a more connected and innovative scientific community, promising to accelerate scientific discovery and technological development, contributing to sustainable solutions for developing nations. The partnership demonstrates the potential for institutions from the Global South to lead in shaping a more equitable and knowledge-driven future.
- This strategic alliance between the International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC) and South Africa's National Research Foundation (NRF) aims to foster a more connected and innovative scientific community.
- The partnership seeks to strengthen ties between researchers and communities across the Global South by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, scientific expertise, and innovation.
- One of the key objectives of the partnership is capacity building, which aims to enhance the skills and expertise of early- and mid-career researchers in the Global South through learning programs.
- The ISTIC-NRF partnership underscores the importance of South-South cooperation in addressing global challenges, particularly in advancing technology and artificial-intelligence, environmental-science like climate-change, health, and water.
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