GDARD announces Biotechnology Awards

The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) has today announced a comprehensive incentive scheme for those involved in the Biotechnology sector in the region.

The Inaugural Biotech Fundi Awards have been set up by the provincial government to support, promote and develop those individuals and companies who make a significant impact on the biotech sector in Gauteng.

“It is paramount for the development of this fledgling sector to continually look for mechanisms which could assist in catapulting biotechnology to the next level.
We believe that the Biotech Fundi Awards will, in time to come recognise the who’s who in Gauteng biotech, and more importantly act as a stimulus to establish Gauteng as the Biotech Centre in Southern Africa” comments GDARD.

With major academic institutions in the region, such as the Tshwane University of Technology, University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Johannesburg, UNISA and MEDUNSA, and world-class research organisations including the Agriculture Research Council, CSIR, MINTEK and the National Research Foundation, Gauteng offers a unique combination of various resources to form a world-class scientific and research and development hub. Coupled with its excellent manufacturing and industrial facilities as the commercial centre of Africa, Gauteng is ideally positioned to take the lead in the development and promotion of Biotechnology excellence.

Other organisations focusing even more specifically on Biotechnology include BioPAD, eGoli Bio and Public Understanding of Biotechnology.
These organisations work hand in hand with local and national government to roll out the region’s biotech strategy.

In 2007 Gauteng Province adopted a biotech strategy, an initiative within the ambit of the Gauteng Growth and Development Strategy.

The Biotech Fundi Awards will incentivise and recognise companies and individuals working within the Gauteng Biotech sector.
This includes all those in Biotech research and development, business, academia, capacity building and the media.

"The six award categories are a vehicle to recognise all the different role players for their contribution and excellence in the sector.

The categories include:

• Biotech Research Award 2009
• Biotech Fundi Bio-entrepreneur Award 2009
• Biotech Fundi Capacity Builder Award 2009
• Biotech Fundi Lifetime Contribution Award 2009
• Biotech Fundi Public Leadership Award 2009
• Biotech Fundi Communicator Award 2009

Sponsors for this Inaugural event include BioPAD, eGoli BIO, The Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), Monsanto and The Innovation Hub.

For more information go to www.biotechfundiawards.co.za or contact the Awards Secretariat at (011) 486 2957