Brussels became the meeting point for some of the world’s leading voices in research and innovation as the European Union and South Africa commemorated 30 years of bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. Representing the University of Johannesburg’s Postharvest and Agroprocessing Research Centre (PARC), Founding Director Prof. Olaniyi Amos Fawole joined distinguished delegates to celebrate the partnership and explore its future direction.
The high-level event commemorated three decades of strategic collaboration following the signing of the Science and Technology Agreement in 1996, bringing together senior government officials, policymakers, research leaders, innovation organisations, and international partners from South Africa, the European Union, and the African Union to reflect on the achievements of the partnership and chart its future direction.
Prof. Fawole’s invitation to participate recognized his contribution to advancing research, innovation, and international collaboration within South Africa’s science and technology landscape. His presence among leading researchers and decision-makers reinforced PARC’s growing international profile and its commitment to building partnerships that drive impactful science and sustainable development.
Over the past three decades, the EU–South Africa partnership has strengthened collaboration in areas including public health, climate action, clean energy, biodiversity, astronomy, research infrastructure, open science, researcher mobility, and science diplomacy. These collaborative initiatives have played an important role in strengthening research capacity, promoting scientific excellence, and addressing global societal challenges through shared knowledge and innovation.
The anniversary celebration also provided a valuable platform for dialogue between researchers, policymakers, funding agencies, and institutional leaders. Such engagements are instrumental in fostering strategic partnerships, expanding international research networks, enhancing mobility opportunities, and creating pathways for collaborative research and innovation investment.
For PARC, international partnerships remain central to its vision of developing globally competitive research that delivers practical solutions to local and global challenges. Through strategic collaboration, the Centre continues to advance research in postharvest science, agroprocessing, food quality, sustainable preservation technologies, and value addition, contributing to resilient agrifood systems across South Africa and the African continent.
Reflecting on the significance of the engagement, Prof. Fawole emphasised that a strong knowledge economy is built when research excellence is supported by strategic partnerships, investment, researcher mobility, innovation, and the effective translation of scientific discoveries into societal and industrial impact.
As PARC continues to strengthen its international footprint, participation in global research and innovation platforms such as the EU–South Africa Bilateral Cooperation Anniversary reaffirms the Centre’s commitment to fostering scientific excellence, building meaningful partnerships, and contributing to research that addresses pressing societal needs while creating lasting impact.
The engagement further underscores the importance of sustained international cooperation in advancing innovation ecosystems, strengthening institutional capacity, and shaping the next generation of globally connected African researchers.
- Date: 17 June 2026
- Location: Brussels, Europe