INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
INRS signs a structuring agreement with the University of South Africa and iThemba Labs/NRF

The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), the University of South Africa (UNISA) and iThemba LABS/NRF are pleased to announce the official implementation of their strategic partnership, which paves the way to strong scientific and academic collaboration between Quebec, the Cape Province, and South Africa.

The official ceremony was held at the Western Cape Provincial Parliament in Cape Town, in the presence of Christopher Skeete, the Minister of International Relations and de la Francophonie of Quebec; Anroux Marais, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety; Iya Touré, Quebec's Delegate General in Dakar; Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Vice-Chancellor of UNISA; Philippe-Edwin Bélanger, Director of the International Office of INRS, Professors Mohamed Chaker and Kulbir Kaur Ghuman from INRS; Professor Mpho Ngoepe Vice Principal: research, innovation, commercialization & postgraduates of UNISA; and Professor Malik Maaza, UNESCO-UNISA Africa chair in Nanosciences & Nanotech. This academic and governmental delegation highlights the importance of this collaboration for the advancement of scientific knowledge.

"The alliance between INRS, UNISA and iThemba LABS/NRF demonstrates that science is a powerful vehicle for cooperation and a driver of innovation between nations. This sharing of expertise and skills will enrich collaborative projects, and it marks a further step toward building a special relationship with South Africa and the Western Cape region." 

- Christopher Skeete, Minister of International Relations and de La Francophonie

A partnership with far-reaching implications

This new partnership on the African continent confirms INRS's role as a key global research player and reflects its commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and innovation through research and graduate training.

"INRS is proud to be associated with such prestigious partners as UNISA and iThemba LABS/NRF. This agreement will create new opportunities for our researchers and student members, and it perfectly illustrates our conviction that research knows no borders when it comes to meeting the challenges of our time." 

- Philippe-Edwin Bélanger, Director of the International Office at INRS

The three institutions will work jointly by sharing their complementary areas of expertise, notably in the fields of nanoscience, advanced materials, energy, health, and quantum technologies, in an effort to support training for future scientists and promote the advancement of fundamental science and innovation.

"This collaboration between INRS, UNISA and iThemba LABS/NRF marks an important milestone in our shared commitment to leading-edge research and international training. Together, we're building bridges between scientists from Africa and Quebec to foster a culture of open and inclusive science focused on addressing key global issues." 

- Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa (UNISA)

Through this agreement, the partners reaffirm their shared commitment to addressing large-scale scientific and societal challenges, while promoting meaningful dialogue between research communities from the Global North and Global South.

Highlights

The implementation of the partnership will facilitate:

• Mobility opportunities for students and researchers between Quebec and South Africa.
• The development of joint training activities and bilateral seminars.
• Collaborative research projects in nanoscience and nanotechnologies.
• The sharing of leading-edge scientific infrastructures, notably those of iThemba LABS/NRF and the Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications Research Centre (EMT) at INRS.