Africa news roundup: 6 –13 December

South Africa extends science collaboration with Europe, a new health surveillance centre in Limpopo, the catch 22 of academic rankings as seen by a Wits scientist, and more…

South Africa extends science collaboration with Europe

South Africa has extended a deal with the European Commission that allows scientists from both regions to share facilities and exchange information. The five-year agreement was signed by South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology director-general Phil Mjwara and Vladimir Šucha, director-general of the EC Joint Research Centre, which employs scientists to provide independent advice for EU policymaking. Speaking at the signing on 10 December in Pretoria on the sidelines of a two-day EU-South Africa science collaboration conference, Šucha said, “We need to learn from each other how to tackle challenges, but we need to develop own solutions for our own problems.”