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Brexit does not directly threaten South African relations with scientists in the United Kingdom or the European Union, and could even open new funding opportunities for local researchers.
According to Phil Mjwara, director general of the department "We do not think that Brexit will have a huge impact on the collaboration between British and South African scientists: indeed, since the announcement [of Britain’s plans to quit the EU] they are looking for Other forms of collaboration, "Mjwara said Monday evening on the sidelines of the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) 2018 in Toulouse, France
EuroScience is a European non-profit organization for scientists. The forum is the largest interdisciplinary scientific meeting in Europe. The event of one week runs until July 14th.
"Since Brexit, we have seen tremendous interest in moving the Newton Fund forward and bringing in other Commonwealth countries," Mjwara said. which has committed 735 million pounds (more than 13 billion rand) until 2021 to build research partnerships, with commitments from participating countries.
Mjwara's confidence contrasts sharply with the message uttered by Lauritz Holm-Nielsen, chairman of the forum EuroScience, when he described British plans to leave the EU as "a black cloud" on the free movement of scientists, threatening research collaboration.
Holm-Nielsen stated that cutting-edge science in European universities depended on the "Free Movement of Brains"
"We must all work hard to ensure that European research includes The future of British researchers and institutions, "he said.
relationship with the EU's key funding instrument for collaborative research, known as the Framework Program for Research and Innovation
The current funding cycle , Horizon 2020, has reserved 79 billion euros (R1.25 trillion)
SA is one of the few non – EU countries that participate in the program and has until the end of the year. has now received 400 million rand funding from Horizon 2020, said Mr Mjwara.
Unlike the Newton Fund, Horizon 2020 Mjwara reported that the department had recently allocated R36-million, channeled through the National Research Fund (NRF), to help scientists at historically disadvantaged institutions apply for funding. international research grants and participate in advanced research.
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