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South African science ministries respond favorably to State of the Nation address by president

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 April 2020

Abstract

Type
Science Policy
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2020

Blade Nzimande, who heads South Africa’s Departments of Science and Innovation and of Higher Education, Science and Technology, supports President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment on moving South Africa toward a low carbon growth trajectory.

The country’s energy challenges have provided researchers with an opportunity to look differently at, for example, the use of hydrogen fuel cell technology (HFCT). The Minister confirmed that the National HFCT Research, Development and Innovation Strategy will continue to aim at stimulating innovation to further contribute toward the national electricity grid.

“We have also started rolling out demonstrations for the provision of electricity and mobility using platinum-based hydrogen fuel cells. These include the rolling out of fuel cells to a rural school in the North West,” Minister Nzimande says.

The Minister welcomes the President’s announcement of the establishment of a new University of Science and Innovation to be located in the city of Ekurhuleni, a major economic hub in the country. The university will be closely linked to driving high-impact and cutting-edge technological innovation with current and future industries, sectors, and firms to drive the frontiers of a future economy, the Minister says.

“We believe that this location, together with fresh new challenges arising from the revolution in science and technology in the third decade of the 21st century, offers an opportunity for a new initiative to provide cutting-edge science and technology innovations across crucial areas such as data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, block chain, robotics, and hydrogen-powered technologies including smart transportation and logistics systems,” Nzimande says.