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An agreement was signed between the Botswana Technology Centre (BOTEC), South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and Zimbabwe's Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) for the formation of this Regional Research Alliance.
The Alliance will initially focus on the three broad research areas and will pool the resources of the Alliance members to enhance delivery. The aim is to create a critical mass of technical staff for the exchange of expertise and knowledge in the southern African region.
The Regional Research Alliance will be headed by an Executive Board with support from a Secretariat and technical teams who will develop business plans in the research theme areas. The CSIR will manage the interim Secretariat.
"The Alliance will undertake large impact projects for the benefit of the people of the region," explains Dr Reinie Biesenbach of the CSIR, who heads up the interim Secretariat. "We'll create synergy by pooling our energies and skills, while securing new funding possibilities and developing regional knowledge networks for commerce and industry," he says.
Note: The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) is the largest R&D, technology and innovation institution in Africa. It has a track record spanning close to 60 years. Structured around distinct operational research units and strategic technology centres, the CSIR strives for excellence in all its endeavours in order to improve the quality of life of South Africa¿s people.
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