Building bridges, learning from one another, and developing and implementing joint projects – these were the central themes of the “Building Bridges” initiative. Representatives from science, governance and business, as well as from the Austrian Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education and Finance, took the opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange and dialogue. For the Austrian Ambassador to South Africa, Romana Königsbrun, this was an important step towards further deepening bilateral relations between the two countries: “Initiatives such as ‘Building Bridges’ provide a valuable platform for exchange at different levels. Austria and South Africa are connected not only by shared values, but also by a shared determination to work towards a sustainable future and pursue new avenues of cooperation. ‘Building Bridges’ creates important connections in this regard and demonstrates how dialogue can lead to concrete projects and long-term partnerships.”
Building Future Partnerships Through Science
In addition to the areas of governance and economy, a key element of the initiative was the project-building phase. The focus was on developing concrete joint projects in the fields of mining, energy and materials, as well as initiating new international collaborations. In total, the Technical University of Leoben was represented by a delegation of 18 people and played a particularly central role during this phase. Through direct exchange with researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand and other African partner institutions from the AfriSMAT alliance, common research interests were explored and concrete starting points for future research projects and collaborations were developed: “The symposium not only provided a valuable platform for dialogue between Austrian and African researchers, as well as between the EURECA-PRO and AfriSMAT alliances, but also opened up new perspectives for long-term cooperation. We are particularly pleased to have gained a strong and reliable partner in the University of the Witwatersrand, with whom we look forward to continuing our close collaboration. A particular milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on joint research activities and student exchange, with a focus on key issues for the future, including critical raw materials, new materials and energy,” explained Thomas Prohaska, Vice-Rector of the Technical University of Leoben.
Rodney Genga, Associate Professor of Materials Science and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand and head of the AfriSMAT Alliance, also highlighted the progress achieved as part of the initiative and emphasised the importance of intercontinental cooperation in successfully addressing key technological challenges of the future: “We are living through a period of profound technological change, and the challenges we face can only be addressed through collaboration. Africa brings vital raw materials, a wealth of emerging talent and valuable expertise, while Europe contributes extensive scientific and technological know-how. The symposium marked an important first step towards bringing these complementary strengths together and developing innovative, sustainable solutions for the future.”
The importance of exchange between students from both countries was emphasised by Maximilian Richter, Group leader of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research: “In addition to scientific cooperation, the ‘Building Bridges’ initiative has also created valuable opportunities for exchange at student level. If we succeed in bringing Austrian and South African students together even more closely so that they can learn from one another, exchange experiences and develop joint programmes, this will benefit not only the students personally and academically, but also bilateral and economic cooperation in the long term.”
From Research to Economic Implementation
In June this year, the Austrian Federal Government adopted the “Austrian Africa Strategy 2026–2029”. Andreas Reichardt, Head of Section VI (Mining) at the Federal Ministry of Finance, explained the central role South Africa plays in this strategy and why the country is an important partner for Austria as follows: “South Africa has extensive know-how in many areas of mining and, due to its wealth of resources, is an exciting partner for Austria. Academic partners such as the Technical University of Leoben, in turn, contribute Austrian know-how and expertise. If initiatives such as ‘Building Bridges’ succeed in developing long-term partnerships at project level, this will represent an important step forward for both countries.”
The symposium also provided companies based in South Africa with an important platform to explore new opportunities for economic cooperation on the basis of scientific exchange and to identify shared potential for future projects: “South Africa is by far Austria’s most important economic partner on the African continent. Around 70 Austrian companies already have subsidiaries or offices here. Initiatives such as ‘Building Bridges’ quite literally create bridges – they enable personal exchange, which is essential for establishing and maintaining successful networks,” highlighted Martin Meischl, Austrian Trade Commissioner in South Africa.
Overall, around 100 participants from 13 European and African countries came together through the “Building Bridges” initiative to develop concrete project proposals and lay the foundations for long-term cooperation. Asked what connects Europe – and Austria in particular – with South Africa, participants at the symposium agreed: shared values and a shared commitment to shaping a sustainable future together.
