A science symposium hosted by the Ambassador of Switzerland, Christian Meuwly, concluded an agreement between the HSRC, the Swiss Embassy, the University of Basel and other social partners to commit to the ideals of the Swiss–South African Joint Research Programme (SSAJRP).
SSAJRP has been promoting scientific and technological co-operation between Switzerland and South Africa since 2008. The programme is one of several bilateral research co-operation programmes organised by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
SSAJRP fosters research partnerships between Swiss and South African scientists through joint research projects. It facilitates university faculty and student exchanges to promote knowledge transfer and innovation in both countries. It also supports industry-oriented projects with potential for innovation and the generation of market-oriented outputs through a number of academia-industry initiatives.
Prof. Olive Shisana, CEO of the HSRC, said the organisation has always enjoyed a vibrant relationship with the Swiss, more specifically in the area of the social sciences and humanities, adding that the interested parties have jointly embarked on activities to support young researchers and common areas of research deemed as priorities.
This has resulted in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Basel. Ambassador Christian Meuwly added that the purpose of the event was to showcase Switzerland’s commitment to the social sciences and humanities.
‘Focusing on a networking and linkages event on social sciences and humanities will aim to strengthen research across international networks and disciplines in pursuit of shared goals, for example in health, demographic change and well-being; in smart, green and integrated transport; and in climate action and resource efficiency,’ he said. The partnership also expects broader collaboration in the area of social sciences, co-operating with foreign representatives on the African continent. Source: HSRC Review, November 2014
