The International Science, Innovation and Technology exhibition (INSITE 2008), a Department of Science and Technology (DST) initiative, ended on Wednesday, 17 September with the presentation of the annual Philip Tobias Lecture by professor Malegapuru William Makgoba, the vice-chancellor and principal of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a renowned molecular immunologist.
Professor Makgoba took the opportunity to present a talk on the future of the HIV/AIDS challenge. He emphasised that scientific knowledge is vital if this scourge is to be beaten, and that people need to be drawn into research if solutions to this and many more of South Africa’s problems are to be found.
INSITE 2008 attracted more exhibitors than ever this year and visitor attendance was representative of global and local business, as well as senior learners and academics. Aiming to generate interest in scientific and technological careers, it featured many exhibitors aiming to engage with businesses interested in the many products and services on offer. Two conferences running alongside the show contributed to the some 3000 quality visitors attending the event.
When the South African deputy president, Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, and the minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, spoke at the opening of the show, they both emphasised the importance of applying science and technology to practical problems, so as to encourage economic growth and address poverty.
The conferences co-located with INSITE 2008 were the XXV International Association of Science Parks (IASP) World Conference 2008, and the Bio2Biz SA 2008 Conference. Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka welcomed the IASP delegates, saying they presented South Africa with “an opportunity to tap into the organisation’s resource pool, with its 150 000 innovation-based companies, research and development institutions, and teams of experts in science parks around the world.”
Dr Phil Mjwara, director-general of Science and Technology, addressing the Bio2Biz delegates, spoke of the strategic importance of biotechnology to the country’s priorities, “particularly in the areas of human health, food security and environmental sustainability,” and the opportunity the conference afforded industry and business to work together to achieve this.
Over the three days of INSITE 2008, large numbers of senior learners and university students took the opportunity to assess how scientific principles are translated into commercially viable technologies.
Marle Swanepoel at the Carl Zeiss stand, where a number of high-tech microscopes were on display, said the show was a valuable means of talking to individuals who were considering careers as scientists and technologists, and students looking for future employers. “We will definitely be back next time,” she concluded.
André Hoffmann from the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers, but representing Robotics South Africa at INSITE 2008, echoed these sentiments. “There was a lot of interest from youth, especially in our Lego League and the soccer-playing robots,” he said. He added that Robotics SA had exhibited at the show to stimulate interest by government and industry in supporting the country’s fledgling robotics research capabilities and aspirations to contribute to the development of robotics globally.
Several countries exhibited at INSITE 2008, with Germany and China alone bringing in around 120 companies and research institutes. Gerd Fischer from the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Duisburg Essen said there had been more activity at this year’s show than the previous two he had been to. “People are coming to speak to us who are really interested in what we are doing,” he said. “There were a lot of university people, plus some from business, who wanted to take advantage of the services we offer.”
Hung Yu Chung, working as a translator at China’s stand, said that over 100 Chinese companies had products on show, and that there was great interest in many of these products from South African businesses. Her view of the show? “It was cool,” she said.
Government used the opportunity presented by INSITE 2008 to launch its hydrogen and fuel cells strategy, which emphasises the role South Africa can play in a world where hydrogen fuel cells will play an increasingly important role as fossil fuels become more expensive. The Department of Science and Technology also had a stand dedicated to the use of hydrogen as fuel, and it enjoyed considerable interest from young people as well as business, according to Dr Mykhaylo Lototskyy, a scientist dedicated to briefing visitors.
As to the overall success of INSITE 2008, Nhlanhla Nyide, director of communications at the DST, said the department was very happy with the way the show went. “We have seen consistent growth in the number of exhibitors each time, and this was definitely the best show so far,” he said. “We plan to build on this to ensure that the next exhibition is even better. Meanwhile, we are confident that the exhibition was constructive for everyone involved, and that it has promoted interest in science and technology amongst South Africa’s youth and its business fraternity.”
© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved
printer friendly version