Dr. Babongile Mkhize

I am a research, development and innovation (RDI) manager and a seasoned Science Diplomat, who has dedicated over 20 years to advancing South Africa’s scientific and technological landscape. I championed international partnerships in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI). The impact of my work reverberates through playing an instrumental role in establishing and nurturing STI relations between South Africa and specific partner countries, creating an enabling environment for the South African National System of Innovation (SANSI) to access international science and expertise. One of the highlights of my science diplomacy career, among others, I spearheaded the establishment of the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) Young Scientists Forum and Innovators Price. My work has opened up a number of opportunities for the South African scientists and researchers from both academic institutions and science councils to access international science and the know-how. Among others, I was instrumental in the establishment and management of the South Africa- France ICT Network, Argentina-South Africa Centre for Nanotechnology (ASACEN), and South Africa-Japan University Forum (SAJU). I am also a published author of two books and seasoned Non-Executive Director (NED)