The South African Universities of Technology, a coalition making up the South African Technology Network (SATN), have organised an annual conference hosted by the Durban University of Technology. The theme of the first annual conference is the “Nature and Characteristics of Universities of Technology”.

The SATN conference coincides with the 2008 International conference for the South African Society for Cooperative Education (SASCE) which happens from 19 – 22 May.

The official launch of the South African Technology Network takes place during the conference by signing the Trust Deed of the South African Technology Network Trust.

To explore this theme, speakers from academia, government and international institutions will deliver keynote addresses on issues such as the impact of Universities of Technology’s (UoT), research, the newly released HEQF, work integrated learning and perspectives of the experiences of the Australian Universities of Technology and the Australian Technology Network. The conference will be attended by academics from South African Universities and international participants.

Two international delegates will deliver keynote addresses at the SATN conference.

Dr Vicki Thomson
Dr Vicki Thomson will give a keynote address on the Impact of Technology Higher Education Institutions on Society at a session taking place on 22 May at 16h00, ICC, Durban.

Vicki Thomson is the Executive Director of the Australian Technology Network, a coalition of five universities of technology across Australia. Her diverse background covers journalism, politics, issues management, and now the higher education sector. She has an extensive media and political background, serving as Chief of Staff to the former Premier of South Australia, the Hon John Olsen.

Before this she was a senior adviser to the Premier, entering politics from a media background in newspaper, radio and television in Western Australia, South Australia and Canberra. As Director of the ATN she is responsible for positioning the network in the Australian higher education environment as a cohesive and authoritative voice in the tertiary sector. She has an extensive network of contacts at the most senior levels of Federal Government, industry, business and public service and has operated in the international environment.

Dr MARTIN HINOUL
Dr Martin Hinoul will speak at a session on Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer on 23 May at 9h00, Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Hotel School.

Dr Hinoul is the Business Development Manager for the Knowledge Economy for the Region of Leuven, Belgium. He is the former Chief of Cabinet for the Flemish Minister for Economy. He wrote several articles and books on the Knowledge Economy. He also published a book on China “The Threat of the Dragon – Fiction or Reality?” His last book was on the invention of the transistor now 60 years ago.

Dr Hinoul holds a Ph.D. in Physics and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from the Catholic University of Leuven (K.U.Leuven). He has also done postdoctoral research at the Stanford University, M.I.T., and several other laboratories in Europe, the U.S. and Japan.

The two delegates can reached through the cell phone number of Christelle Venter: 082 267 5125.