South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology is set to connect the country’s colleges and universities to lay groundwork for increased investments in science and technology.
South Africa’s science and technology minister Naledi Pandor, underlined the role science and technology played in connecting universities that are in the rural areas saying: “I have set aside R78 million to extend connection to rural sites including the remaining six higher education institutions that are unconnected.”
Higher Education South Africa (HESA) said it supported the ministers projected plan for connecting the universities.
Hesa is the leadership body that represents the 23 public Higher Education Institutions. HESA acts to support the higher education sector in South Africa through advancing and promoting the benefits of South African universities to the nation, and developing policy positions on higher education matters.
According to HESA, this would potentially strengthen cross departmental and cross-agency cooperation and coordination in relation to research and innovation support.
“These initiatives, separately and collectively, are important in laying a foundation for increased investment in science and innovation that is necessary for attracting and retaining excellence in research and innovation in South African universities,” HESA’s chairperson Prof Ahmed Bawa.
“I remain committed to creating a national body on science and technology policy. I had hoped to develop this structure last year,” the minister said during her speech.
The Department of Science and Technology received a total of R4.96 billion for the 2012/2013 financial year.
