The University of Pretoria’s Vice-Principal responsible for Research and Postgraduate Education, Prof. Stephanie Burton was invited to speak at the Tuks Young Research Leader Programme (TYRLP) breakfast held at FABI on 12 September. Professor Burton highlighted ways to harness the Fourth Industrial Revolution - cyber physical systems - to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa. 

Professor Burton explored how research can support the SDGs. She suggested that researchers take a multidisciplinary research approach to problem solving and to further develop the connectivity of the digitalization era. She inspired the group using topics such as smart architecture and health systems to show the link between the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the advancement toward achieving the SDGs. 

FABI Director, Prof Bernard Slippers welcomed guests and opened the event. Amongst the guests were FABIans Prof Sanushka Naidoo, Dr Fahimeh Jami, Dr Tuan Duong, Dr Eshchar Mizrachi and Dr Sandra Heinzelmann. Ms Ulrike Voett from the Robert Bosch Stiftung in Germany also joined the breakfast as part of a three-day visit to Pretoria. Other guests included TYRLP Fellows from 2015-2017. The talk closed with Prof. Burton awarding certificates to TYRLP 2017 Fellows before everyone enjoyed a breakfast.