The South Africa-China Young Scientists Exchange Programme is based on a five-year agreement signed by the South African Department of Science and Technology and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology in 2017, to give young researchers from both countries an opportunity to share knowledge and develop skills. The first group of students have begun the exchange this spring. The program will promote the development of scientists, scholars, and researchers, focusing on various scientific fields including biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, ICT systems, green technologies, the exploitation of mineral resources, and space science and astronomy.

The Young Scientists Exchange Programme is jointly funded with the aim of cultivating future scientist leaders, by promoting the exchange of researchers between research institutes, universities, and enterprises in an effort to advance R&D, and produce academic papers, new patents, and innovative products.

The majority of the successful students, selected through a call issued by the South African National Research Foundation earlier this year, come from historically disadvantaged institutions. The students who have been selected in the spring will spend up to 12 months at universities across China.