Co-Funding Success & Partnership - 10+ years of collaboration in research and innovation between Switzerland and South Africa

How Joint Research Programs, Academia-Industry Training (AIT) and the co-funding of research-based start-up companies both by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), the South African Department of Science and Industry (DSI) as well as by its Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) have helped spur building equitable partnerships, quality and trust.

Description:

At the occasion of the Swiss Residency Week 2024, companies from South Africa, Rwanda and Nigeria will be attending the Swiss Start-up Days in Berne. This participation is only one of the latest highlights of joint programming between Switzerland and Africa that started in 2007 already. Ms Anneline Morgan, Chief Director of DSI and Dr Vuyisile Phehane, Unit Head TIA Bio:Economy, will address the topic of building long-term and reliable partnership relations in their respective fields of expertise. At this occasion, milestones of the Swiss - South African collaboration will be presented as well as gaps that are still perceived today as stumbling blocks to lead partnerships to full fruition.

After an initial statement of 20 minutes by each speaker, discussion will engage panelists and the public in an exchange of experiences and good collaborative practice.