07 July 2026, Boksburg, Gauteng – The ST&I Business Forum, a South African non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) as the cornerstone of national economic development, is proud to announce the Inaugural ST&I Public Lecture, to be held on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, at the Emperors Palace Convention Centre in the City of Ekurhuleni. The landmark event will convene senior delegates from business, government, academia, professionals and civil society around South Africa’s national ST&I agenda.
The Inaugural Lecture is themed “A Public-Private Partnership Model for Science and Innovation” and represents a defining moment in South Africa’s science and innovation calendar. The Public Lecture (17:00–20:00) is designed to catalyse substantive, multi-stakeholder dialogue on the role of public-private collaboration in driving inclusive industrial innovation and long-term national competitiveness.
The event will feature keynote addresses from distinguished voices across government, business, academia, industry and prominent leaders in government including distinguished guests who have played an immense role in our society by advancing the nexus of science, business and policy for the betterment of our country. The lecture will be delivered by an international speaker supported by the Princeton University of Africa World Initiative (AWI). For information and updates on the lecture visit: ST&I Business Forum | Inaugural Public Lecture 2026
The 8th of July 2026, Inaugural Public Lecture will also serve as the official launch of the ST&I Business Forum as a national Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) policy advocacy organisation formed to champion the implementation of the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation and 2022 Decadal plan and Industrial Innovation for an inclusive prosperous South Africa.
ABOUT THE ST&I BUSINESS FORUM
The ST&I Business Forum exists to advance Science, Technology & Innovation as the engine of South Africa’s economic future. Our mandate is to promote robust and progressive ST&I policy advocacy for regional economic development, and to position Science, Technology, and Innovation at the centre of our urban and regional industrial innovation strategies and policies. The ST&I Business Forum is committed to placing Science, Technology and Innovation at the centre of society and industry including the establishment of the University of Applied Science &Innovation.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Wednesday, 8 July 2026
Time: 17:00–20:00
Venue: Emperors Palace Convention Centre, City of Ekurhuleni
Format: In-person
Website: www.sti-lecture.com | www.stibusinessforum.co.za