Royal treatment: (From left) Norwegian Minister of Research and Higher Education, Tora Aasland, South African Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, Queen Sonja and King Harald V of Norway, and VC Dr Max Price.

Global challenges require global solutions, and the time has come for South Africa and Norway to examine how to consolidate and develop their co-operation, said Queen Sonja of the Norwegian royal family at UCT on 26 November.

Opening the seminars on Co-operation in Research and Higher Education, Queen Sonja said research is dependent on sharing knowledge and ideas.

In this regard, she thanked the scholars and students present, saying that through their work, solutions to pressing problems could be found.

Since 1995, South Africa and Norway have enjoyed "extensive co-operation" in various fields such as science, energy and medicine, she said.

"With the opening of today's seminars, the two countries are entering into a new phase in strengthening that partnership."

At the seminars, topics such as climate change, environmental awareness and science were examined.

Vice-chancellor Dr Max Price noted that the relationship between the two countries provides a platform for Western Cape universities to engage in international research partnerships and co-operation. (Podcast and videoclip available on the website.)