On 31 May-1 June our Secretary General Dr Joanna Newman attended the 6^th annual Research and Innovation Dialogue of Universities of South Africa. The event attracted 80 delegates from international universities, councils and embassies.

Professor Cheryl de la Rey, Chairperson of USAf’s Research & Innovation Strategy Group (RISG), who is also the University of Pretoria’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, spoke about the inadequacies of public funding for innovation and research.

Day 1, opening session. From left: Professor Cheryl de la Rey; HE Helene Budliger Artieda, Swiss Ambassador to South Africa; Mrs Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, Hon Minister of Science and Technology; Professor Ahmed Bawa, USAf's Chief Executive Officer and our very own Dr Joanna Newman.

'Post-graduate education creates the pool from which we are likely to select the next generation of academics, and the pool of highly skilled individuals who are expected to play a leading role in innovation.

'We’re deeply concerned about declining public funding of post-graduate education, hence it is one of two themes for the R&I Dialogue 2018, which reflect our priorities for the current year.'

Dr Joanna Newman shares a light moment with Hon Naledi Pandor, South Africa's Minister of Higher Education and Training. Looking on is Professor Thandwa Mthembu, the USAf Chairperson, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Durban University of Technology.

The discussion was joined by Science and Technology Minister, Mrs Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, Minister Hon Naledi Pandor, from Higher Education and Training, and our very own Dr Joanna Newman. The event sparked interesting discussions on the role of higher education in society and how institutions can continue to implement structure to increase research and innovation around the world.

Dr Joanna Newman, recieving a token of appreciation from Professor Ahmed Bawa.

On the first day of the event, Dr Joanna Newman was presented with a token of appreciation from Professor Ahmed Bawa, Chief Executive Officer of Universities South Africa.

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