NOVI SAD, SERBIA: His Majesty the King has said there is no need to reinvent the science and innovation wheel for Eswatini following the exposure received from advanced countries.
He observed this during a visit to the Biosense Institute and the Novi Sad Science and Innovation Park yesterday, which is a Research and Development Institute for Information Technology in Biosystems.
He said to bridge the digital gap, the country needs strong partnerships developed with well-developed states such as Serbia.
The king congratulated the institutions for the innovations on display, saying this was a result of hard work and dedication, from which good dividends were being realised.
It is encouraging to see a significant amount of research and digital innovation focused on agriculture, demonstrating its potential for success. These systems are highly effective, and the Kingdom of Eswatini greatly values the shared information that offers solutions for digital transformation. These results make the production processes more efficient and time-saving,” he said.
The king also commended the linkage of innovation to finding solutions for the attainment of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We hope to return in the near future so we can share ideas on how we can set up similar institutions in Eswatini where we do not need to reinvent the wheel. Doing so would also help strengthen relations and increase exchange programmes between our two countries,” he said.
His Majesty, who is on a state visit to Serbia, got to taste chocolate sweets manufactured by students at the Novi Sad Science and Technology Park.
The Biosense Institute also gave him a tour of the latest agricultural technology, which has led to the country’s subsidy program going paperless.
Some of the technology showcased includes robotics that serve as on-the-field soil testing laboratories, providing instant results.
Weeding of the fields has also been digitalised in Serbia to use laser technology.
The institute is recognised as one of the leading scientific institutions in the field of digital agriculture.
It is guided by the principle that no scientific discipline alone has sufficient capacity to respond fully to the needs of future agriculture production.
According to its objectives, BioSense develops several directions of research synergistically: micro and nanotechnology, microfluidics, material science, mass spectrometry, robotics, biosensors, metamaterials and other related fields.
During his visit to the Novi Sad Science and Technology Park, His Majesty asked incubating students to share their chocolate sweets with the King, who eagerly tasted them. Members of the local delegation followed suit.
The director of the science park, Sudan Kolakovic, explained the facility was fully self-funded.
He said it was an institution where higher education, science and industry come together, leading to a significant impact in the development of the innovation ecosystem in Serbia.
“We have 66 members, 36 startups, 20 companies, one institute of artificial intelligence, 9 virtual members and 1500 employees,” he informed the King. Among the staff are 350 researchers. It has 3000 final-year students in electrical engineering and ICT.
During the visit, His Majesty was received by the President of the Provincial Maja Gojkovic, as well as the Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, Jelena Begovic.
ICT Minister Savannah Maziya and Agriculture Minister Mandla Tshawuka were among the ministers in the Kings delegation who took keen interest in the facilities and what they had to offer. Member of Parliament Prince Lindani and Prince Sicalo also showed keen interest in the facilities, posing questions to gain a deeper understanding of the innovations.
Also posing questions were the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Pholile Shakantu.
The Education Minister, Owen Nxumalo and acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), Dr Andile Methula, were also present.
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