To promote cooperation and the exchange of expertise, as well as the transfer of technology through joint research projects and innovative partnerships, in order to share the benefits and increase scientific and technological capacities. The Embassy's activities in this regard focus on the following: :
To facilitate closer cooperation between Germany and the South African scientific community, i.e. the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (DACST) (www.dacst.gov.za) (please note that all government departments with scientific competencies are serving on an intergovernmental Science and Technology Committee called SATCOM); the eight South African Science Councils; other research or Academic Institutions; related non-governmental organisations; and, the private sector.
To promote the German scientific community's involvement in development initiatives to ensure South Africa's sharing in the benefits of globalisation and high-tech developments.
To assist the annual Binational Commission's (BNC) Committee on Science and Technology in its work programme.
Science and Technology cooperation between South Africa and Germany is facilitated through annual meetings of the Binational Commission (BNC). Existing formal agreements in the area of Science and Technology include the Agreement between the "Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the South African "National Research Foundation" (NRF), signed in December 1999.
