South Africa and Ireland Strengthen Cooperation in Education and Innovation
South Africa and Ireland have taken a major step toward strengthening their collaboration in education, research, and innovation, following an official visit by South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, to Ireland. The visit, part of the delegation accompanying President Cyril Ramaphosa, aimed to align both countries’ education and innovation ecosystems in pursuit of shared global development goals.
Reinforcing a Longstanding Partnership
The mission reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between South Africa and Ireland, particularly in the areas of science, technology, higher education, and skills development. The discussions centred on how both nations can leverage academic cooperation and innovation to drive inclusive growth and knowledge exchange.
As part of the visit, Minister Manamela, alongside Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, toured Dogpatch Labs in Dublin, one of Ireland’s leading innovation and startup hubs. The visit showcased the ongoing Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, an initiative led by the Embassy of Ireland that supports South African tech entrepreneurs developing solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Bilateral Talks on Expanding Education and Research Ties
Minister Manamela held a bilateral meeting with Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, Niall Lawless, to discuss expanding cooperation in key academic and research areas. The discussions focused on:
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and research
- Lecturer development and academic exchanges
- Joint research projects reflecting Ireland’s historical support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle
Both ministries agreed to develop a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) to formalise future collaboration in higher education, research, and innovation. The agreement will serve as a framework for academic partnerships and talent development between universities and institutions in both countries.
The meeting also covered Ireland’s participation in the upcoming G20 Education Working Group, which South Africa will host in Mpumalanga, highlighting both nations’ commitment to shaping global education policies.
Building Skills and Industry Partnerships
Manamela also joined President Ramaphosa’s business roundtable engagements with Irish companies operating in South Africa. The talks explored opportunities for work-integrated learning, skills development, and industry collaboration across manufacturing, agro-processing, and high-technology sectors.
The goal is to improve pathways between education and employment, equipping South African youth with skills relevant to the modern digital and industrial economy.
Strengthening University Collaboration
During a visit to Trinity College Dublin, Manamela met with Irish academics and researchers to discuss strengthening ties between Irish and South African universities. Key partner institutions identified include:
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
These collaborations will focus on joint research, postgraduate supervision, and academic exchanges in disciplines such as immunology, creative arts, economics, and history.
Celebrating the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme
The visit also reaffirmed the importance of the Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme, a cornerstone of academic exchange between South Africa and Ireland since 2013. To date, the programme has enabled over 130 South African graduates to pursue postgraduate studies in Ireland, fostering leadership, research capacity, and cross-cultural collaboration.
A Shared Vision for Sustainable Growth
The visit underscored the shared vision of South Africa and Ireland to strengthen cooperation in science, innovation, and human development. Both nations remain committed to building a future-oriented partnership grounded in mutual respect, knowledge sharing, and sustainable growth.
Through continuous collaboration, South Africa and Ireland aim to expand opportunities for students, researchers, and innovators, ensuring that education and technology continue to drive social and economic transformation.
