KSA, South Africa sign pact

(MENAFN- Arab News) The Kingdom and South Africa signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in science & technology in a wide range of areas that would benefit the two countries. The accord was signed here between Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, president of King Abdulaziz City For Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, and Sibusiso Sibisi, president of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa. Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad Al-Saud, vice president of KACST for research institutes, was also present during the signing ceremony. The MoU was designed to promote cooperation in various fields of science and technology in the two countries. Al-Suwaiyel explained that the MOU will span a period of five years. "The agreement is aimed at exchanging information between the two organizations in the areas related to science & technology," he said. Under the program, he said they would exchange expertise, engage in joint research projects and hold conferences and workshops. in the field of science and technology. "We are also planning to set up joint research centers in various areas of scientific interests," Al- Suwaiyel noted, recalling that the new agreement was an extension to a previous agreement signed in 2009 between the two countries. KACST is an independent scientific organization administratively reporting to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. KACST is also the Saud i Arabian national science agency the function of which involves science & technology policymaking, data collection, funding of external research, and services such as the patent office. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is South Africa's central and premier scientific research and development organization. It was established by an act of Parliament in 1945 and is situated on its own campus in the city of Pretoria. It is the largest research and development (R&D) organization in Africa and accounts for about 10 percent of the entire African research and development budget. It has a staff of approximately 3,000 technical and scientific researchers, often working in multi-disciplinary teams. Researchers at CSIR have developed the world's first digital laser. This innovation is regarded as a milestone in laser technology and could spur future laser-related innovations. The team has shown that laser beams can be digitally controlled from within a laser device.