Question NW56 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
24 February 2023 - NW56
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
In the past six months, (a) what (i) overseas trips has he undertaken in his capacity as Minister or a representative of the Government and (ii) was the purpose of the specified trips and (b) has he found that the objectives were achieved?
Reply:
List of Minister’s trips in last 6 months (1 August 2022 until 31 January 2023)
|
(a)(i) |
(a)(ii) |
(b)(i) |
|
|
Date |
Country |
Purpose |
Achieved objectives |
|
31 August to 2 September 2022 |
Indonesia |
G20 Education Working Group and Minister’s Meetings |
Minister participated in the Education Minister's meeting held in Bali on 1September 2022. Ministers discussed the G20 education agenda under Indonesian Presidency namely, universal education, digital technology in education, solidarity and partnerships in education and future of work. The Ministers welcomed the Report and Compendium from the Education Working Group meeting on education strategies in 26 countries detailing more than 150 programs and best practices. The Minister held bilateral meetings with the i) UNESCO Assistant Director-general for Education, Ms Stefania Giannini to share updates regarding the Transformation Education Summit and South Africa’s participation thereof at this landmark event and updated each other on UNESCO work in the field of higher education. The Minister also met with the ii) Brazilian Minister of Education, HE Victor Godoy Beige and agreed on deepening cooperation with BRICS countries and agreed to renew the MOU focusing on skills development for green economy in the context of green energy and hydrogen research, exchange delegation of officials to visit each other's countries to study each other's systems and learn from each other. |
|
30 September to 8 October 2022 |
Japan |
The Minister undertook an official visit to Japan to participate in the 19th Annual Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum and bilateral engagements at the margins of the Forum. |
As part of Minister’s participation at the STS Forum, the Minister shared the platform with the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Kishida in the opening plenary session of the Forum where he delivered a speech on the topic: “The World in 2022 - What do we need from Science”. At the margins of the Forum, Minister attended the following courtesy bilateral meetings with:
These meetings provided an opportunity to strengthen STI cooperation particularly with Japan and with the EU, the Netherlands, and Iran. |
|
19 to 21 October 2022 |
Senegal |
Official visit, to Senegal to participate in a consultative and planning meeting on Panafrika’s Postgraduate University for Policy studies in Africa |
Participation in the PanAfrika Postgraduate University for Policy Studies in Africa consultative meeting The Minister participated in the consultative and planning meeting of the PanAfrika Postgraduate University for Policy Studies in Africa on 21 October 2022. The consultative meeting was arranged by the Southern Africa Political Economy Series (SAPES) Trust in partnership with the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). The purpose of the consultative and planning meeting was to mobilise resources and support for the PanAfrika University. The SAPES Trust was seeking support from partners for a Planning Grant for the Inception Phase of the project. The consultative and planning meeting seeks to come up with an organisational design for the university to make it a success and sustainable institution. Minister agreed to support the establishment of the PanAfrika University, given the need to strengthen the social science and humanities research in the continent, which is critical in solving Africa’s pressing challenges and unlocking Africa’s potential. A meeting with Prof Moussa Balde, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Senegal The Minister was able to hold a Ministerial bilateral meeting with his Senegalese counterpart, Prof Balde, who is the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The meeting allowed the two ministers to review the achievements of the cooperation since the signing of the bilateral agreement and to identify areas of opportunities that the two countries can jointly pursue as a mutual response to the socio-economic development challenges of the two countries. Visit the Cheick Anta Diop University. Minister Nzimande also visited Cheick Anta Diop University, which is one of the key Universities in Senegal that has been playing a critical role in the human capital development element of some of the key bilateral programmes. The meeting allowed for the identification of exchange programmes for students and lectures, especially in the areas the University is strong. |
|
19 November 2022 |
United Kingdom |
The Minister travelled to the UK as part of the Presidential entourage, on the King’s invitation. Minister Nzimande also attended to bilateral consultations with the UK counterparts on the STI and higher education cooperation matters. The Minister further advanced cooperation on hydrogen with the University of Teesside during the signing of an MoU with Stellenbosch University. |
Significantly the visit saw the re-signing of the MoU on STI with the UK government. These cooperation efforts advanced our science diplomacy with one of our long standing, traditional and historic partners, the UK. |