SA'S FIRST RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE ROADMAP UNVEILED

The South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap, the first of its kind in South Africa, is a strategic intervention to provide research infrastructure across the entire public research system, building on existing capabilities, and taking into account future needs.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, launched a roadmap to support South Africa's future investment needs and ensure researchers' access to world-class scientific knowledge in Cape Town on 4 October.

Infrastructure includes facilities, resources and services used by the scientific community across all disciplines for research, enabling the generation, exchange and preservation of knowledge.

An initiative of the European Commission and South Africa through the two parties' trade agreement, the roadmap will provide guidance to the Department of Science and Technology on the deployment of infrastructure to enable research, development and innovation.

The roadmap is a vital blueprint, which will allow the country to set national priorities and earmark funds for development and participation in pan-European research infrastructure activities.