Welcome to the Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77)
Please Register by clicking HERE Registration is free of charge. You can register yourself and also other colleagues (up to 10 people).
After you have registered, you will receive two emails: one from Eventbrite with your ticket, and 15 min later, one from SCHED inviting you to create your username and password (these will be your SCHED login details to access the conference each time).
Once you have your SCHED login details, you can select the session(s) you would like to attend and be able to see the ZOOM link to join your selected sessions.
All times in the AGENDA are New York Local (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). To view times in another time zone, please use the "Timezone" box located below on the right.
The South African Bio-economy Strategy outlines a vision where South Africa’s bio-economy is a significant contributor to the country’s socio-economic development through the creation and growth of new industries. Investment in infrastructure and innovation are crucial drivers of economic growth and development. We believe the challenges can be addressed by focussing on SMEs development and support as the main vehicle of economic growth. There is a strong focus on re-industrialization, import replacement with locally manufactured products and increasing competitiveness of local industries through the development of innovative knowledge products, processes and relevant skills in support of SMEs and established industry in the biomanufacturing sector. The CSIR has a number of industry facing centres that foster innovation and entrepreneurship. These include bioprocessing, biocatalysis, and biorefinery technologies exploits an open innovation model that provides access to the CSIR’s infrastructure and resources to enable technological advances that create and sustain industries and promote job creation. This session will explore the capabilities and offerings at the CSIR that offers a viable model that stimulates and supports the biomanufacturing industry in South Africa and the continent. More broadly the content of this session speaks directly to various sustainability development goals such as:
Responsible consumption and Production,
Good Health and well-being
Sustainable cities and communities
Climate Action
Food security
Also, South Africa was one of the early supporters of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and this commitment is intertwined with its contribution to setting Africa’s long-term development goals.
Session Agenda:
Welcome and Opening Keynote (15 min)
Advanced Chemistry and Lifesciences Division at CSIR- Dr Dusty Gardiner
National Initiatives aimed at supporting a Bio-economy (15 min presentations)
The Biomanufacturing Industry Development Centre – From pilot to established programme - Ms Lara Kotze-Jacobs, Programme Manager
The Industrial Biocatalysis Hub-brining industry and academia closer- Dr Lucia Steenkamp, Director of the IBH
Bioprocess Technology Development: Assisting SME’s to transform “Concept to Commercial” reality – Dr Santosh Ramchuran, Research Group Leader for Bioprocessing
Biorefinery Industry Development Centre- the CSIRs support of the circular economy – Dr Viren Chunilall, acting Research Group Leader
