Innovation in science and technology is critical for countries that want to develop and achieve in ICT, says deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
The International Association of Science Parks` (IASP`s) first conference on African soil, with a parallel Department of Science and Technology (DST) exhibition, provides the perfect opportunity to gain insight into this, she adds.
Mlambo-Ngcuka yesterday addressed the opening of the 25th IASP World Conference 2008 and the DST`s third biennial International Science, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (Insite) 2008, in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Both the conference and Insite take place between 14 and 17 September. Lesotho, Botswana, Germany, Spain, China, Japan, Korea, Denmark, Finland, the US and Bangladesh, as well as the World Headquarters of Euro Office Services, whose members operate in more than 50 international technology regions, are all participating this year.
Shuttleworth ambitions
Yesterday, Mlambo-Ngcuka said: "Every city and region on the continent needs a science park to develop and grow the knowledge economy so that they assist our people to lift themselves out of poverty, so that we produce African Einsteins and many more Mark Shuttleworths."
The deputy president quoted International Telecommunication Union figures that indicate:
* Africa accounts for only 5.6% of all fixed and mobile subscribers worldwide.
* Africa has over 20 countries that have one main line serving approximately 100 people.
* The continent has its own digital divide, for example Egypt has 11 times the fixed-line penetration of Nigeria.
"Information is power, and if one is empowered, democracy is strengthened," she added.
"It is our responsibility to simplify the meaning of concepts such as 'knowledge economy`, ICT and R&D, so that we are able to discuss and understand each other, and involve the poor and the technology-illiterate masses."
Driving the economy
Science and technology minister Mosibudi Mangena supported Mlambo-Ngcuka. He said science parks foster entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness, and constitute key elements of the infrastructure enabling the growth of the knowledge economy.
"By providing a location in which government, universities and private companies cooperate and collaborate, science parks create environments that enhance knowledge sharing and transfer, and commercialisation of technology. In this sense, science parks offer a special, supportive type of business environment for today`s expanding knowledge economy," noted Mangena.
"In fact, statistics show the increased number of new science parks in the world correlates with the increased global emphasis on innovation and knowledge as drivers of the economy."
Other events running alongside Insite and the IASP conference include the Bio2Biz SA 2008 Conference, the annual Phillip Tobias Lecture, the launch of the DST`s hydrogen strategy, and a celebration of Software Freedom Day.
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