South Africa and Switzerland are set to deepen their collaboration in science, technology and innovation (STI) following the renewal of a fruitful STI co-operation agreement between the countries.

Signed in Bern last week, the agreement will, among others, see exchange visits of scientists, researchers and scholars, the sharing of scientific and technical knowledge, and the hosting of bilateral STI seminars and courses.

The agreement was renewed during the fifth meeting of the South Africa-Switzerland Joint Committee, an intergovernmental structure that was created after the bilateral agreement on scientific and technological cooperation was first signed in 2007.

Its function is to make decisions and review progress in joint work on STI.

SA and Switzerland have enjoyed a productive relationship in STI for well over a decade. The countries have carried out a number of joint research projects, co-operated on the Swiss-South Africa Business Development Programme, and established two bilateral research chairs.

South African and Swiss universities also have long-standing student exchange programmes in place.

In a statement, the Swiss government says for the next phase of the bilateral programme, and to enhance cooperation, the Swiss National Science Foundation and South African National Research Foundation are negotiating a direct co-operation arrangement in the shape of a lead agency agreement.

It explains the agreement would allow researchers in Switzerland to submit a joint research project developed with a partner in SA to just one of the research promotion organisations.

It believes this procedure would significantly reduce administrative costs and facilitate bilateral cooperation.