South Africa Events

2008 events related to South Africa 
 

September 2008

European South African Science and Technology Advancement Programme (ESASTAP) platform

12 September

Brussels, Belgium

The aim of the platform is to promote scientific and technological cooperation between South Africa and the European Union.

Launched in 2005 with the support of the European Commission, and funded as a Support Action under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), and implemented and co-funded by the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST), ESASTAP played a critical role in enabling the more than 130 South African FP6 participations, and preparing the South African R&D community for FP7.

During FP7 ESASTAP has continued to operate successfully, also beyond the conclusion of the FP6 project, for example rendering extensive institutional support to South Africa's FP7 Network of National Contact Points (NCPs).  Following the approval of a new FP7 Support Action to continue the partnership between the European Commission and the DST, the ESASTAP platform will be significantly enhanced.

It is these new improved services and instruments of the "ESASTAP-2" platform, to be availed to both South African and European researchers, which will be presented at a special launch event in Brussels on Friday 12 September 2008. 

The lunchtime event will include a keynote address by the DST Director-General, Dr Phil Mjwara, on South African perspectives of the Ljubljana process to strengthen the European Research Area, especially the international cooperation dimension.

Other speakers on the Programme will include the DST Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation and Resources, Prof Thomas Auf der Heyde, on South Africa's international S&T cooperation strategies, and the ESASTAP Coordinator, Mr Mmboneni Muofhe, who will detail the new ESASTAP-2 services. 

Lunch will also be served to permit networking with the South African delegates, including National Contact Points, in attendance.

The event will take place at the Stanhope Hotel in Brussels' "European quarter", Rue du Commerce 9, Brussels 1000, Metro: Trone.  Should you be interested in attending, kindly confirm your participation with Ms Francoise Dassy at francoise.dassy@belgacom.net.

July 2008

The 27th Annual SOUTHERN AFRICAN TRANSPORT CONFERENCE (SATC 2008)
7-9 July

Pretoria, South Africa