The first National Biotechnology Expert Workshop took place 31 July 2008 at the CSIR Convention Centre, Pretoria. This event was arranged as part of the 2008 activities of the National Biotechnology Advisory Committee (NBAC), whose mandate is to provide the Minister of Science and Technology, though NACI, with advice pertaining to the biotechnology sector.

The workshop was opened by NBAC Chair: Prof Jennifer Thomson, who opened for discussion the Role of the NBAC through a presentation of its history from conceptualization within the National Biotechnology Strategy, 2001, to inauguration late in 2006. She challenged the audience, as key biotechnology sector stakeholders, to provide input via the upcoming Review of the National Biotechnology Strategy (to be undertaken by the DST) of the future role for NBAC within the changing structure of South Africa’s National System of Innovation.

Dr Sagadevan Mundree presented the keynote address on ‘Personal Insights into Agricultural Biotechnology in Queensland, Australia’. Having worked extensively in biotechnology in South Africa, both in the academic and commercial contexts, prior to his recruitment by the Queensland government, this comparative discussion was extremely insightful.

Seven additional sessions covering the range of biotechnology sub-sectors and interest areas made up the rest of the day. Each session consisted of an expert presentation and comment session, after which the floor was opened to discussion. Thanks go out to all the speakers (Prof Jennifer Thomson, Adv Donrich Jordaan, Prof Solly Benatar, Dr Sagadevan Mundree, Prof Michael Pepper, Dr Nhlanhla Msomi, Mr Rodney T Blower, Prof Jocelyn Webster, Prof Antonio Llobell, Prof Karl Kunert, Prof Henk Huismans, Prof Mary Scholes, Ms Wadzi Mandivyeni, Prof Julian Kinderlerer, Dr Ivan May) who contributed to the overall weight of knowledge and expertise of this event. The workshop agenda bears testimony to this.

The need for such forums in which experts and industry stakeholders from across the divides of government, academia and industry, as well as from across the range of biotechnology sub-sectors, can get together to present key developments, raise pertinent questions, and build networks, is evidenced by the levels of attendance and positive feedback on this successful event. It is envisaged that this will form a standard item on the NBAC annual calendar.

An outcome of the workshop was the need to develop a biotechnology stakeholder list. If you did not receive an invitation to the workshop and consider yourself a stakeholder in the sector, please send your information to nicci.earle@dst.gov.za for inclusion on this list and receipt of future sector relevant information from this committee.