Presentation to Portfolio Committee: Status of S&T Cooperation with Korea and China

1. Presentation to Portfolio Committee: Status of S&T Cooperation with Korea and China Thomas Auf der Heyde DDG: International Cooperation and Resources 23 November 2011

2. Status of Agreement: Korea • S&T relations formalised through an agreement in 2004 Themes covered: energy (nuclear energy), biotechnology, biodiversity, manufacturing, space S&T, and astronomy • Govt to Govt relations conducted through Joint Committee Meetings (JCM) The JCM defines, implement and review collaborative projects. 3 JCMs have been held, the 4th scheduled for SA early next year • Institutional collaboration supported by governments i.t.o. seminars, workshops, exchange visits and joint research

3. Strength of Korea’s S&T system <Table 1-1> Total R&D Expenditure/ R&D Percentage of GDP

4. Strength of Korea’s S&T system Trends of total R&D Personnel

5. Strength of Korean Innovation System • Globally competitive industries: • Shipbuilding • Display panels • Cell phones design and manufacture • Automobile design and manufacture • Steel and steel products

6. Strength of Korean S&T System • Science and innovation • Communication and broadcast convergence • Phase change memory • Display panels and equipment • Intelligent transport systems (ITS)

7. Overview of current initiatives: Korea • HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT • Exchange of students for training under space S&T and astronomy. • Promote fellowships and expert missions in the area of biotechnology. • Student and scientific exchanges under hydrogen and fuel cells. • KIST has offered scholarships to and training of SA students; student researchers based at the CSIR in nanotechnology have taken the offer.

8. Overview of current initiatives: Korea • HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELLS • Catalysts for fuel cell Polymer Electrolyte Membranes (PEM) • Direct methanol fuel cell PEM for high temperature fuel cell • Hydrogen storage NANOTECHNOLOGY • Research on luminescent nanomaterials for generation of white light with low power consumption.

9. Overview of current initiatives: Korea • NUCLEAR SCIENCE • Research reactors, cyclotrons, pressurized water reactors and nuclear medicine. • Human Capital Development. Institutions involved: • NECSA – SA Fundamental Atomic Research Institute (SAFARI) • Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute • High-Flux Advanced Neutron Application Reactor (HANARO)

10. Overview of current initiatives: Korea • SPACE & ASTRONOMY • Use of facilities for observation time on Korean and SA telescopes – focus on near earth objects. • Involve 3rd partner countries for mutual benefits. • Explore additional space geodesy projects for joint collaboration. • Address HCD through recruitment and training of post-doctoral students. • Joint seminars on a bi-annual basis.

11. Overview of current initiatives: Korea • BIOTECHNOLOGY • MOU signed between CSIR and KRIBB • A flagship project: New Drug Discovery from Traditional Medicines focusing on tech transfer & best implementation models

12. Strategic focus for DST: Korea • Tap into innovation expertise • Leverage Korea’s investment in green technology & Green Economy • Strengthen cooperation in nanotech, biotech, astronomy (strong focus on radioastronomy) • Seek partnerships in multi-lateral space

13. Status of S&T Agreement: China • Agreement was signed in 1999. • Key themes for cooperation covered: transportation, mining, environment, geology, metallurgy and information and communication technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology. • More than 50 joint R&D projects have been implemented since the start of the collaboration.

14. Evolution of China’s S&T system 1986: National High Tech R&D Program (863 Prog) to build own capability in high tech industry and in strategic fields such as Biotech, ICT, Agric, New Materials, Manufacturing and Automation. 1997: National 973 Program aimed at concentrating large and decentralizing small R&D activities. provides for Capacity building for S&T industrialization and R&D infrastructure (Torch and Sparkle Programmes. key Technology Program meant for investment in basic research for the West Development. laws on S&T Advancement, on Patents, IP, Tech Diffusion, SMME Promotion in place in the PRC. 2006: Key Technology Programme vertical focus: proteomics, quantum research, nanotechnology and biotechnology horizontal focus: energy, water and mineral resources, environmental and recycling technologies, agriculture and forestry, automation, transport, ICT, health, urban planning, public safety and national defense

15. PRC National S&T program system National S&T program system Three major S&T programs Key Technology Program 863 Program 973 Program Two capacity building programs Capacity building of S&T industrialization Capacity building of R&D infrastructures

16. Strength of China’s S&T system

17. GERD by source of funds and by sector of performance

18. Overview of recent activities: China • Transport R&D on paving and sustainable development (2005-2008): TUT, Chang’an University and Tongji University. • Environment R&D on drought-tolerant grasses and technologies for restoring degraded arid and semi-arid rangelands: NWU and Lanzhou University. • Council for Geosciences (CGS) has Agreement with China Academy of Geological Sciences on exchange of maps, scientific information. • Mintek appointed Gold Yard International Exchange as its agency in China, and sold gold bio-leaching technology to the Laizhou Gold Metallurgy Plant in the Shangdong Province. • SABS Testing Division collaborates on rotating machines; rubber and plastics; textiles; electrical motors and cables with China.

19. Overview of recent initiatives: China • Ongoing collaboration through Southern Africa-China Science, Engineering & Technology and Education Association (SETEA) which has about 400 members Composed of: Key Funding Members of China-Africa Engineering Association (CAEA) in South Africa established in 1997 in Midrand, SA Scientists, Engineers and Educators Under- and Post-graduated Students 8th SETEA Forum planned for October

20. Overview of recent initiatives: China • DST participated in the Shanghai World Expo in 2010 with the following activities: • A Roundtable Discussion on Innovation, • A seminar and evening lecture on “Exploring the Universe”, with a focus on the SKA, • Technical visits to technology and innovation agencies, as well as the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory • Seminars on Traditional Medicines, Palaeontology and Climate Change.

21. Strategic focus for DST: China • Leverage China’s interest in Africa within the China-Africa Science and Technology Programme (CASTP) under FOCAC • Build partnerships in multi-lateral space (esp. UNFCCC) • Astronomy and radio-astronomy • Palaeontology • Indigenous Knowledge • Advanced Materials • Biotech