Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor
Photo by: Duane Daws
Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor is committed to further stimulating innovation in South Africa. This includes seeking to reduce the obstacles faced by the country's innovators. She was talking to reporters on Monday, at the Innovation Bridge event in Pretoria.
Referring to questions regarding the legal framework and legislation affecting innovators, she noted that it was "an area we still need to work on, as South Africa. We're working on amending the Intellectual Property Act. We're interacting with this [process]." The Department of Science and Technology (DST) wants the amendment Bill to facilitate the DST's innovation objectives.
"But we have moved beyond where we were five years ago," she pointed out. The country now had the National Intellectual Property Management Office (Nipmo) which was set up in 2011. At the end of 2013 it was designated a specialised service delivery unit of the DST. This serves to support innovators and their intellectual property (IP) issues. A survey of local innovators had revealed their concerns about the legal framework and especially the cost of protecting their IP. "If you don't have the proper framework, it's difficult [for innovators] to market [their innovations] out there," said Pandor.
Although innovation is taught, to a degree, in South African schools, the DST would like to see greater emphasis on it. There have been talks on the matter with the Department of Basic Education. Pandor would also like to have more funding available to support young innovators. The currently available funding is "a great start".
The Innovation Bridge, being held for the first time, is "a showcasing event," she enthused. "It's a showcase! An opportunity for partnerships to be built." The aim is to bring innovators, venture capitalists, IP lawyers and others together to develop partnerships, obtain funding and specialised support and develop new products for the local and international markets. Participants include innovation companies, science councils and universities.
Taking place at the International Convention Centre of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, it has been described by Minister Pandor as a "technology matchmaking event". It is an initiative of the DST, working with Nipmo, the Technology Innovation Agency and the South African Research and Innovation Management Association. The Innovation Bridge is taking place on Monday and Tuesday. The intent is, henceforth, to hold it every two years.