# President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for stronger cooperation between government, universities and national science councils to address South Africa’s economic challenges, tackle unemployment and drive innovation. He addressed the Presidential Engagement with university vice-chancellors and national science councils at the Union Buildings in Pretoria yesterday. Ramaphosa stated that no developmental state has succeeded without strong universities and strong public research institutions. He acknowledged concerns about the financial sustainability of universities, governance instability in higher education, and insufficient public and private investment in research.
Ramaphosa says no developmental state can succeed without strong universities and public research institutions