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 Strategic partnerships in science and technology will be key instruments in transforming Botswana into a knowledge society.Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Mr Carter Morupisi said this on Thursday when welcoming delegates from South Africa during a two-day science and technology bilateral meeting in Gaborone.He mentioned that research and development in Botswana is still at its rudimentary stage and the science and technology landscape remains small with a few research institutions.Mr Morupisi mentioned that the 1998 Science and Technology Policy is being revised to align it with the national and global trends and developments, and make it responsive to the countrys economic development.We appreciate it when a neighbour such as South Africa that has made major strides in the science and technology arena approaches us for collaboration, he said.His South African counterpart, Dr Phil Mjwara said collaboration in science and technology is important for both countries as it will give opportunities to young research scientists to further their knowledge.

He said the meeting is held to discuss among other things, issues surrounding the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Project in particular the benefits that will accrue to both countries. The two-day meeting will discuss the cooperation agreement signed in August 2005 which resulted in a Joint Permanent Commission and consequently the formation of a technical committee in 2008.Some of the modest achievements registered under the agreement include regional research alliance involving BOTEC and CSIR, the Trans-Karoo Basin Project implemented by the South African Council of Geo-Science and Department of Geological Services and attachment and training of MSc students through the project.South Africa and Australia are both bidding to host the Square Kilometre Array project, a large radio telescope whose construction culminates into a huge international project that is intended to meet the future of radio astronomy. Should South Africa win the bid to host the SKA Radio Telescope, this will attract the best scientists and engineers to work in Africa