The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation promotes the internationalization of Italian research and scientific diplomacy as key tools for advancing cooperation between Italy and the rest of the world. To this end, the Farnesina relies on a network of around 40 Scientific and Space Attachés and Experts stationed across five continents.
The role of these Attachés is to foster bilateral cooperation in scientific and technological research, support the excellence of the Italian research system abroad, and establish and maintain relationships with the community of Italian scientists working overseas.
Italy and South Africa share an intense and fruitful collaboration in highly innovative and technologically advanced sectors that are crucial for economic growth and sustainable development. This is made possible through numerous agreements between universities and research institutes in both countries, the work of over 120 Italian researchers operating in South Africa, and various bilateral Executive Programs for Scientific and Technological Cooperation that implement the bilateral agreement signed in Pretoria on January 15, 1998, on a triennial basis.
Among the most significant initiatives are:
• The Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, to be built in South Africa, with Italy as one of the main international partners (committing €120 million over 10 years)
• The Memorandum of Understanding on Artificial Intelligence signed between the International Foundation Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Bologna and the South African National
Integrated Cyber Infrastructure Initiative
For more information on scientific cooperation between Italy and South Africa, please visit the dedicated section on the website of the Embassy of Italy in Pretoria.
In Cape Town, the Network of Italian Researchers in the Cape (NIRC) is also active. This informal association brings together Italian researchers working in universities, institutions, and research bodies based in the Western Cape province. For more details, visit the NIRC Facebook page or contact the coordinator, Mattia Vaccari, at mattia.vaccari@gmail.com.