Over the years, South Africa and Norway have enjoyed close ties and have a long history of collaboration in the areas of research and higher education.

The Norwegian Minister for Research and Higher Education, Iselin Nybø, and members of her delegation, who included high-level leaders of Norwegian universities and research institutes, were recently in the country to hold discussions with their South African counterparts to strengthen relations in the areas of research and higher education.

As part of their visit, the delegation also visited the CSIR. Discussions included common challenges that both countries are facing and priorities that they both need to address.

These include:

• Marine pollution
• Climate and environmental protection
• Enabling and industrial technologies
• Public sector and renewal services
• Civic protection and
• Social cohesion in a globalised world.
   

Nybø said that their research and higher education institutions focus on technology, aligning research and development with business and strengthening the quality of higher education.

The Norwegian Minister for Research and Higher Education, Iselin Nybø added that she hopes that the discussions with the various institutions in the country will result in more collaborative efforts.

"This plan has made it easier for universities and our research institutions to plan their work and strategically allocate their funds. The plan consists of three overall long-term aims, which include making the Norwegian industry more competitive and innovative, addressing global challenges, such as climate change, and creating conditions that are required by world-class research groups," she said. Nybø also added that she hopes that the discussions with the various institutions in the country will result in more collaborative efforts that will ensure a greater impact for both countries in the sectors outlined.

CSIR CEO, Dr Thulani Dlamini, provided the delegation with an overview of the organisation, its partnerships with Norway and some of the major successes that it has achieved over the decades.

In his presentation, the CEO highlighted the organisation's focus on contributing towards social cohesion, inclusivity, ensuring that innovation cuts across all the different sectors of society, and addressing issues of economic development, poverty, unemployment and inequality.

The delegation concluded their visit with a tour of the CSIR National Centre for Nanostructured Materials. They indicated that they will also be holding bilateral meetings with the Minister of Science and Technology, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, and the Minister of Higher Education, Naledi Pandor.