The Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted the launch of the BRICS – Best (Bioenergy from Eco – Sustainable Technology) conference, to discuss the future of biotechnology between five major emerging national economies which are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS).
The launch took place at the DUT Hotel School on Tuesday, 19 March 2019, where delegates from BRICS member nations came together to find ways to cooperate for development, provide financial assistance, support various projects as well as look at sharing infrastructure.
Local and international delegates from each country were given the platform to exchange innovative ideas on what their respective countries are doing in terms of research and towards building a biotechnology future. This collaboration between the five countries is also based on their extensive research into the biotechnology’s future, with regards to using farm produce to create a sustainable fuel source, an oil for the future.
Deputy Vice – Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Sibusiso Moyo opened the launch and welcomed the local and international delegates as well as gave feedback on DUT’s position in terms of research and in eco-sustainable products.
“Biotechnology is one of our flagship programmes and is one of the areas where we (DUT) have a lot of capacity and growth,” she said.
Professor Feroz Swalaha from the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology also delved into the role of the BRICS alliance.
“Essentially, what Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are doing is looking at eco – sustainable residue and the generation of biotechnology energy. We do not want to use food crops to produce energy because that will be taking away from our food production, so what these countries will be doing and focusing on is using the leftover crops,” said Prof Swalaha.
DVC: Teaching and Learning (Acting), Professor Theo Andrew highlighted what a milestone this conference is for DUT. “You do not know how excellent you are until you go international. This collaboration is not only between the countries but universities within these countries. These universities are the Durban University of Technology (DUT) from South Africa, led by Professor Kugen Permaul, the Tianjin University of Science and Technology from China, led by Professor Zhengxiang Wang, the Federal University of Parana in Brazil, led by Professsor Carlos Ricardo Soccol, the Russian Academy of Science, Moscow State University from Russia, led by Doctor Ivan Zorov, and the Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing in India, led by Dr Sudesh Kumar,” he said.
Prof Andrew also stressed that these networks are important for the country because the world has entered the fourth industrial revolution and networks are more important now than ever.
Pictured: BRICS – Best delegates from Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa, at the launch.
Zethembe Sibiya
