Pretoria – Science and Technology Deputy Minister Michael Masutha says the growth of microscopy is essential to help government expand its research capabilities in important health and economy related fields.
“Given the importance and growth of microscopy, as the Department [of Science and Technology], we regard it as crucial in addressing some of our strategic priorities in the areas of human capital development by training competent technicians to do research on HIV, mining and many other fields, using the high-end microscopes that the department has funded,” Masutha said.
He was addressing Southern Africa’s leading microscopists at a conference in Pretoria on Wednesday.
Masutha said microscopy -- the technical field of using microscopes to view samples and objects that cannot be seen with the unaided eye -- was a boon to emerging research areas such as nanotechnology. This, he said, was perfectly aligned with the objectives of the National Nanotechnology Strategy.
Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study and application of extremely small things and can be used across all the other science fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and engineering.
“Through one of our agencies, the National Research Foundation (NRF) has been generously supporting the microscopy community.
“Our momentous contribution was when the department funded the establishment of the state-of-the-art specialised facility, the Centre for High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy, based at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth,” Masutha said.
According to the deputy minister, the department has invested R84 million in support of the centre. He said through the centre, South Africa was now firmly positioned as a global player in the high resolution arena.
“Our hope is that this investment will translate into cutting-edge research and development capacity, providing young scientists with high-end skills and attracting beneficial collaborative partnerships internationally.
“I am pleased to note that since its launch in 2011, 20 articles have been published; training workshops have been held, and 22 students have been registered at MSc and PhD level,” he said.
Masutha said the department was also investing in high-end microscopes through the National Equipment and National Nanotechnology Equipment Programmes (NEP and NNEP), managed by the NRF.
“Through these two programmes, approximately 40 microscopes and related imaging equipment have been acquired to the amount of approximately R200 million, which makes up 28% of our total funding budget over the last eight years.
“The department is also funding two Nanotechnology Innovation Centres based at the CSIR and Mintek, as well as the Nanotechnology Flagship Programme, which is managed by the National Research Foundation,” he said.
Since the establishment of the centres, at least R328 million has been invested in microscopes and related equipment.
Through the investments made in these programmes, at least 263 students at MSc and PhD level have been trained, 807 publications have been realised and 16 patents have been registered. - SAnews.gov.za
