Unisa online - Nanotechnology symposium highlights Indo-South African ties

From left at the Nanotechnology symposium: Virendra Gupta (Indian High Commissioner), Prof Mamokgethi Setati (Vice-Principal: Research and Innovation), Dr Sriman Narayanan (National Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) and Dr Tata Narasinga Rao (International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials, ARCI)

Prof Setati pays tribute to the Indian belief that light is knowledge by lighting an Indian ornament with Virendra Gupta at the commencement of the symposium

As part of Research and Innovation Week, Unisa held an Indo-South African symposium on Nanotechnology and Innovation on 13 March 2012 under the theme of “Research Leadership”.

Nanotechnology is a fairly new concept, which was first discovered in the 1980s. It deals with developing materials, devices or other structures at an incredibly small, atomic scale. The discussion of this technology and the collaboration not only between Indian institutions and Unisa, but South Africa and India as a whole, formed the basis of the opening address.

Prof Gugu Moche (Executive Dean: College of Science, Engineering and Technology) acted as master of ceremonies. Paying tribute to India’s pursuit in the academic disciplines, she explained that in India, light is associated with knowledge. Several speakers were then invited to light an Indian ornament to symbolise the commencement of the symposium.

She then handed the stage to Prof Mamokgethi Setati (Vice-Principal: Research and Innovation), who has been instrumental in the launch and continued progress of the Research and Innovation Week. She spoke about Unisa visiting India to forge collaborations in various spheres including nanotechnology. Prof Setati explained the reasoning behind choosing India as a research partner. “For South Africans, India is a very special place. India was the first to sever trade relations with South Africa during the apartheid era, the first to table the abolishment of apartheid at the United Nations.”

She also strongly emphasised the benefits of research in the field of nanotechnology, encouraging more women to enter the field of science. “There is no doubt that nanotechnology will drive the Industrial Revolution of the 21st century and one of the key goals is also to ensure that young women take up careers in science and technology.”

Symposium chair, Prof Srinivasu Vallabhapurapu (Department of Physics, Unisa) paid special tribute to Prof Setati in her efforts to ensure the success of the Research and Innovation Week. He also explained the different types of Nanotechnology and their possible applications.

Indian High Commissioner, Virendra Gupta, closed the symposium, echoing the sentiments of Prof Setati regarding the solid relationship between South Africa and India. “We are grateful for the extremely close and cordial relationships between our two countries on a government level, but this is underpinned by a connection on a personal level between people.”

He also paid special tribute to the university’s hard work. “I’d like to thank Unisa for inviting me to be a part of this symposium. This cutting-edge, revolutionary technology will have answers to many of the challenges and problems for mankind.”