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Memorandum of Understanding signing

Memorandum of Understanding signed with National Metrology Institute of South Africa

NPL’s CEO,  Dr Pete Thompson FREng, and the National Metrology Institute of South Africa’s (NMISA) CEO Ndwakhulu Mukhufhi, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NPL and NMISA.

MoU signing

The MoU builds upon the close ties NPL already has with NMISA and supports further collective work, specifically in areas such as the realisation of the revised SI and dissemination of units, training, medical physics and environmental monitoring.

The partnership between the two NMI’s will allow for greater consistency in realisation of standards, facilitating trade between our two nations and the wider Sub-Saharan African region.

Of the MoU signing, NPL’s CEO Dr Pete Thompson FREng, said “As National Metrology Institutes with a long history of collaboration, such as with the Kibble Balance Project, we are pleased to be here at the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA), signing this memorandum of understanding. This further cements the partnership and will enable a stronger working relationship and knowledge exchange between the two national laboratories. Together, we have identified key areas where collaboration can have a major impact, not only in South Africa, but the whole of sub-Saharan Africa.  These include medical physics, to advance cancer diagnosis and treatment and environmental monitoring, working towards improved air quality.” 

NMISA’s CEO, Mr Ndwakhulu Mukhufhi, echoed the sentiments of Dr Pete Thompson. He emphasised the importance of the co-operation between the two institutes and stressed the impact that measurement technologies will have on human health and the environment; that understanding this impact and how to apply it will improve the lives of ordinary South Africans. He continued by saying  “I am delighted with the signing of this MoU with the NPL, one of the top NMIs in the world. As an NMI in a developing economy, we are aware that we need to punch above our weight in order to effectively serve our economy. Partnerships such as the one we have just signed with the NPL today are critical to enhancing our capabilities in order to generate the impact needed in our economies both in South Africa, SADC and Sub-Sharan Africa broadly.  This indeed contributes directly to our strategy of Shortening the Traceability Chain for Africa."

18 Feb 2020