The Durban University of Technology will on Thursday, 28 May 2015, host the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) which will bring together South African and German scientists from various disciplines such as the humanities, social and political sciences, engineering and natural sciences.

The conference, organised by Higher Education South Africa (HESA), will offer a multidisciplinary bilateral forum for participants to exchange information on research topics and interests and explore new ways for scientific co-operation and research projects.

Background

A direct outcome of the German-South African Year of Science 2012/2013 was a co-operation agreement between Higher Education South Africa (HESA) and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) signed on 17 September 2013. The purpose of the agreement was to promote co-operation in the areas of teaching and study, research and development, exchange of students, placement of doctoral students, exchange of senior and junior teaching staff and researchers.

Following the agreement, a joint HESA-HRK working group was established to analyse the present scope of research cooperation and to make joint recommendations on how the collaboration between the higher education communities in South Africa and Germany can be further developed. One recommendation was to organise a matchmaking conference for researchers from South Africa and Germany.

Programme

Following an opening plenary session on day 1 of the conference to provide the context and set the scene (for the conference), participants will be divided into groups of 5 to 7 persons according to their scientific field (matchmaking workshops). They will introduce their research focus and possible ideas on new projects in order to identify common approaches.

On day 2, the second round of workshops will be used to develop concrete ideas on new co-operation and joint projects between South African and German researchers. Funding sources that could be utilised for joint projects may also be discussed during these workshops.

Some of the ideas could be presented at the final plenary session. A short discussion on next steps will end the conference.

Pictured: Prof Ahmed Bawa, Durban University of Technology Vice Chancellor and Principal with Professor Adam Habib, University of Witwatersrand Vice Chancellor and Principal during the German Rectors’ Conference.