Pretoria – Mamello Thinyane and Takatso Semenya will be saying “Sawubona Denmark” when they jet off to that country for Europe's largest science conference.
The two young South African researchers will be among thousands of scientists and researchers attending the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF), which takes place in Copenhagen from 21 - 26 June.
Semenya, a physiotherapist at the University of Limpopo, and Professor Thinyane, who is an associate professor at Fort Hare University's Department of Computer Science, will be accompanying Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor and the newly appointed President of the Medical Research Council and leading HIV/Aids specialist Professor, Glenda Gray.
The ESOF is an open platform to debate science and a showcase for global research. It also aims to promote dialogue on the role of science and technology in society and public policy.
Speaking ahead of the event, Minister Pandor said: "The EuroScience Open Forum presents an opportunity for South Africa to showcase its latest advances in science. There is much to learn from this country."
Semenya is looking forward to this year’s ESOF, as it’s a chance for her to learn best and new practices in science, technology and innovation. She’s keen to share what she will learn with her peers here at home, and sees this as an opportunity for her to contribute to building a knowledge-based economy.
"My plan is to use this opportunity to learn from different experts in order to help transform this country's health sciences research environment and products into something uniquely African, yet being globally competitive," Semenya said.
Thinyane is particularly interested in how information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be used to address socio-economic challenges, particularly in rural areas and among the youth.
"For me, this event presents a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge in the ICT field and network with researchers from other countries.
“There are many Europeans who are interested in Africa, and ESOF is a chance to sell South Africa and find ways to form partnerships towards the development of this country," Thinyane said.
Professor Gray is scheduled to make a presentation at the conference on how health diplomacy drives business and innovation.
Themed ‘Science Building Bridges’, the conference is aimed at raising the public's awareness of science and strengthening the bridges between science and society.
Denmark has a deep-rooted scientific tradition and a strong commitment to scientific and technological innovation, which play an important role in translating knowledge from science to society.
South Africa remains one of the most successful participants from outside Europe in the EU Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development, with major participation dating back to the fourth framework programme.
Under the seventh framework, more than R400 million in EU funding was allocated to South African organisations. – SAnews.gov.za
