EU-South Africa Joint S&T cooperation committee hopes for more collaboration
Meeting in Pretoria this July, the EU-South Africa joint science and technology cooperation committee agreed that there is more scope for South Africa's participation in the thematic programmes of the European Commission's Fifth RTD Framework Programme (FP5). The Committee is responsible for overseeing cooperation under the existing EU South Africa RTD cooperation agreement, which has been in place since 1996. Under the agreement, which is reciprocal, South African researchers can participate in all non-nuclear areas of the EU's RTD Framework programmes. Representatives on both sides announced their general satisfaction with South Africa's participation in the Fourth Framework Programme and in FP5 so far. In particular, participation in INCO-DC/DEV activities for cooperation with developing countries was described as 'excellent'. The committee now hopes the present level of cooperation can provide a solid basis for increased collaboration in FP5's thematic programmes. According to the first results of the calls for proposals under FP5, South African researchers participated successfully in three of the four thematic programmes. South African researchers are participating in 2 projects in the Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources programme, another 2 in the programme for a User friendly Information Society, and three projects in the Energy, Environment and Sustainable development programme. As a result, the committee agreed to begin initiatives promoting participation in the remaining thematic programme for Competitive and Sustainable Growth. To help EU-SA collaboration along in general, the committee has decided to develop a number of initiatives covering collaboration in specific technologies, science and technology policy issues and facilitating instruments for participation in the Framework programmes. A series of workshops on priority areas for collaboration in the Information society technologies programme (IST) - particularly for accompanying measures - are now planned, as well as a dialogue on women in science to share both the EU's and South Africa's experiences. The Committee has also decided to undertake a concerted effort to promote SA-EU cooperation in the field of water technologies, the strategic importance of which was highlighted by a recently completed South African foresight study. 'To start officials will be 'unpacking' the various FP5 elements to define appropriate opportunities,' the committee reports. 'A possible 'accompanying measures proposal could follow.' It will also step up collaboration with the recently launched EU and World Health Organisation's initiative to combat infectious diseases and understand their links with poverty. It plans to help strengthen the research capacities in developing countries and identify specific areas for cooperation, such as vaccine development. At the same time, the South Africa delegation announced plans to investigate establishing a network of 'national contact points' responsible for specific elements of the Framework Programme. This could enhance cross-disciplinary dialogue on collaboration with the EU, ensure targeted information dissemination to the research community and promote better strategic planning, said delegates. Establishing a South African contact point for FP5's CRAFT technology support for SMEs programme was also identified as a priority, and the committee agreed that Internet resources could be better exploited to disseminate information and enhance opportunities for research collaboration. South African participation in the Framework Programmes has so far mostly involved participation in the 'traditional' shared cost research actions, added the committee. It is now highlighting a need to promote participation in thematic networks and concerted actions. 'There are significant benefits to be gained for the relatively small investments required from South Africa's own resources,' concluded the Committee.