Dr Phil Mjwara, director general of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), delivered the keynote address at the official briefing session of INSITE 2008, the International Science, Innovation and Technology Exhibition.
In his speech, Dr Mjwara addressed the need for the DST to actively showcase and 'advertise' its mission through both local and international businesses that are involved in research and development, as well as through its local innovators and inventors - our young scientists and researchers.
Said Dr Mjwara: "One such platform for showcasing the country's rich Science and Technology potential is INSITE. "Several years ago it was decided that an effective way to draw the attention of the national and global business community, as well as the general public, to the country's science, technology and innovative endeavours, was to hold an international exhibition. The stage was thereby set for Africa's first science exhibition - INSITE 2004".
The third instalment of the exhibition - INSITE 2008 - will take place from 15 to 17 September 2008, at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg. Driven by the DST, INSITE showcases progressive solutions for many of the world's problems today by demonstrating the practical application of world leading innovation, science and technology, and creating a vision of what the future holds.
The overarching theme for this year's exhibition will be the role of science, technology and innovation as key drivers of economic growth and sustainable development. "Commenting on the exhibition, our minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, expressed his department's confidence that INSITE 2008 will be more than just a technology showcase. It will result in further fruitful science and technology partnerships for the region," Dr Mjwara advised.
Running in parallel with INSITE 2008 will be the International Association of Science Parks' (IASP) 25th World Conference. The theme of the conference is "The role of science parks in accelerating knowledge economy growth - contrast between developed and emerging countries."
INSITE visitors and exhibitors will therefore have the opportunity to view and compare regional and international science and technology expertise and to link up with the vast number of international IASP members that will attend its conference. It is expected that staging INSITE alongside such a prominent international conference will further bridge the gap between developed and emerging economies through the sharing of best practices.
Also taking place alongside INSITE 2008 will be The Bio2Biz Conference, organised by BioPAD, and focusing on the highly specialised fields of bio-sciences and bio-technology.
For more information contact Jo Melville, Exhibitions for Africa, +27 (0)11 886 3734, jom@exhibitafrica.co.za
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