“The CSIR is positioning itself to serve the nation today and in the future.” This view was expressed by Dr Rachel Chikwamba, CSIR Group Executive, at the seventh Military Information and Communications Symposium of South Africa (MICSSA), held in Pretoria, in May 2016.

MICSSA is hosted bi-annually by the Command Management Information Systems of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). This year’s symposium attracted more than 400 delegates and covered 25 topics pertaining to information and communications technology (ICT). Eight speakers from the CSIR participated and the CSIR again served as technical reviewer of all the content shared at MICSSA 2016. The theme of the conference was Gaining the edge through ICT modernisation. The CSIR has been a partner of MICSSA for many years, along with Armscor and the State Information Technology Agency. The CSIR also exhibited at the conference.

Dr Jackie Phahlamohlaka, CSIR manager for the command, control and information warfare research area, gave a keynote address on the topic, Towards the modernisation of South Africa’s ICT systems: Implications for the SANDF. In his concluding comments, Dr Phahlamohlaka said that, “ICT modernisation would not be complete without the upskilling of the labour force,” pointing out that, “without the upskilling of its forces, the SANDF may not be better off with the most modern ICT equipment in a typical African battle space.”

“The purpose of this symposium is to share new technologies, trends and developments in the area of ICT,” said Chikwamba. “Looking at the programme, I was impressed by the broad range of ICT presentations. I believe that the CSIR contributed significantly by enriching the discussions during MICSSA 2016.”

This conference is important to the CSIR as it promotes the safety and the security of South Africa and its people. Chikwamba concluded, “We are here to champion scientific and industrial development in the national interest with partners from the private and public sector to improve the quality of life of all South Africans.”