Prof de la Rey acknowledged the co-operation between the two institutions and mentioned that the signing of the MOU will play a critical role of sustaining the partnership in making positive contribution on global issues. “By signing the memorandum of understanding today signifies the history of collaboration which is taken to a new level. The University of Pretoria aligns itself with strategic objectives of the South African Weather Service by producing highly skilled scientific professionals in climate studies or atmospheric sciences”, said Prof de la Rey.

SAWS has been in the business of organised meteorology since 1860 and is celebrating 150 years of organised meteorology in 2010. Its relationship with the University of Pretoria comes more than the 40 years of training meteorologists at the university.

SAWS is also regarded as the most accurate provider of weather and climate information in South Africa and it is also an authoritative voice on climate, climate change and atmospheric sciences. With its vision to be one of the best weather services in the world, SAWS actively supports and drives a programme to develop atmospheric scientific skills in equitable fashion in centres of excellence around the country.

The Memorandum of Understanding records the mutual understanding between the UP and the SAWS to enhance academic collaboration in the discipline of Atmospheric Sciences, consistent with the purposes of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) of which the Republic of South Africa is a member.

The collaboration between the two parties (UP and SAWS) include among others an exchange of scientists, experts, lectures and other officers; as well as the exchange of meteorological, scientific and technical information.

The Memorandum of Understanding will not only create new opportunities for research, but will also provide more scientists to assist in University of Pretoria’s research, education and outreach. At the same time the MOU will contribute to the South African Weather Service’s capacity building in order to develop a world class meteorological service in South Africa.