Building Bridges Initiative
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Building Bridges
Initiative

Programme

Day 1 - October 5, 2026: Opening and Setting the Frame
  • 08:30–09:00
    Arrival & Morning Refreshments
    Tea, coffee & morning snacks
Joint Opening Session – Moderation Susanne Feiel
  • Joint Opening Dialogue ​
    Rusana Osman, Snr Deputy Vice Chancellor University of the Witwatersrand
    Thomas Prohaska, Vice-rector of Technical University of Leoben
  • Overall Mission Architecture ​ ​
    ​ Susanne Feiel, Director International Relations and European University, Technical University of Leoben​
  • Mission Statement Science Mission Agenda ​ ​ ​
    ​ Rodney Genga, Lead of AfriSMAT alliance and Assistant Dean Strategic Projects, University of the Witwatersrand​
  • Mission Statement Economic Mission​ ​ ​
    ​ Andreas Reichhardt, Austrian Ministry of Finance​​
  • Mission Statement Governance Mission​​ ​
    ​ Maximilian Richter, Austrian Federal Ministry of Women, Research and Science​
  • High-Level Panel Dialogue ​ ​
    H.E. Romana Königsbrun – Austrian Ambassador to South Africa
    Vinny Pillay - Chief Director: International Resources, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation | Republic of South Africa
    Andreas Reichhardt – Head of Mining Section – Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance
    Maximilian Richter – Directorate I/A – Institutional Governance of Higher Education, Austrian Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research
    Rodney Genga – Lead of AFRISMAT Network and Assistant Dean Strategic Projects, University of the Witwatersrand
    Thomas Prohaska – Vice-Rector, Technical University of Leoben
    Cornelius Hagenmeyer – Chair of the Executive Board EURECA-PRO
    Vanessa Naicker - Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs in South Africa, Anglo – American
    Edga Tifo - Principal Specialist Strategic Resource Assessment, Sasol
    Susanne Feiel – Director International Relations and European University, Technical University of Leoben
  • Moderator synthesis​ ​ ​
    ​ Susanne Feiel​, Director International Relations and European University, Technical University of Leoben
  • Commitment Round ​ ​ ​
    ​ All panel members​​
  • Official Group Picture​​ ​ ​ ​
    ​
  • Coffee Break
Governance Mission (GOMI)​ - Presentations
  • 11:00–12:30​
    Session 1A · EURECA-PRO Partner and Stakeholder Alignment​
    Welcome, context and objectives
    Susanne Feiel, Director International Relations and European University, Technical University of Leoben
    EURECA-PRO - An Alliance Perspective
    Cornelius Hagenmeyer, Chair of the Executive Board, EURECA-PRO and Vanessa Massegg, Project-Lead EURECA-PRO
    Economic Perspective of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance and Mining
    Michael Mathiaschitz, Security Research and Technology Transfer, Austrian. Federal Ministry of Finance
    Policy Perspective of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research
    Dominik Reisner, Director of Department International Positioning of Austrian Universities, Austrian Federal Ministry of Women, Research and Science
    Technical University of Leoben Perspective
    Thomas Prohaska, Vice-Rector, Technical University of Leoben
    Perspectives from participating partners, networks and stakeholders
    Facilitated alignment discussion
    Susanne Feiel, Director International Relations and European University, Technical University of Leoben
    Pilot concepts and negotiating mandate
    Summary and closing
    Susanne Feiel, Director International Relations and European University, Technical University of Leoben
  • 11:00–12:30​
    Session 1B · African Partner Alignment (parallel)​
    African partners clarify their priorities, expectations and preferred institutional representation for the cooperation.​
  • 12:30-14:00​
    Joint Lunch​​
    Informal exchange among participating university, government and stakeholder representatives.​
  • 14:00–15:30​​
    Session 2 · First Joint Governance Dialogue​​​
    Both sides compare their priorities, identify common ground and define the shared purpose and principles of the partnership.​
  • 15:30–16:00​
    Coffee, synthesis and preparation for Day 2​
    Participants consolidate the main points of convergence, open questions and governance issues to be addressed on Day 2.​
Scientific Mission (SCIMI)​ - Morning Presentations
  • 11:00–11:20 ​
    University of Witwatersrand Introduction ​
    Cuthbert Musingwini, Engineering & Built Environment, Executive Dean University of Witwatersrand​
  • 11:20–11:40 ​
    Partnerships for Sustainable Technology​ ​
    Thomas Prohaska, Vice-rector Technical University of Leoben​
  • 11:40–12:00 ​​
    EURECA PRO Introduction ​
    Lisa Pichler, EURECA-PRO Project Management – Governance
  • 12:00–12:20 ​
    Heritage Innovation in EURECA-PRO Introduction ​​
    Karoline Gritzner, Project Manager - Research HI EURECA PRO (Online) ​
  • 12:20–12:30 ​
    AfriSMAT Introduction ​ ​
    Rodney Genga, Founder and Chair AfriSMAT​
  • 12:30-13:40​
    Joint Lunch​​
    Informal exchange among participating university, government and stakeholder representatives.​
Scientific Mission (SCIMI)​ - Afternoon Presentations
  • 13:40–14:00 ​
    Circular Minerals and Sustainable Mining ​​
    Glen Nwaila, Director - African Research Centre for Ore System Science & School of Geosciences, University of Witwatersrand​
  • 14:00–14:20 ​
    Data-Driven Mining: Hyperspectral Sensing, ML Optimization and Subsidence Prediction ​
    Aleksandra Babaryka, Senior Scientist - Chair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics, Technical University of Leoben​
  • 14:20–14:40 ​
    Circular Minerals and Sustainable Mining ​
    Paseka Leeuw, Head of School of Mining Engineering, AfriSMAT​ ​
  • 14:40–15:00 ​
    Sustainable Materials, Shared Futures​
    Desmond Klenam, SSenior Lecturer - School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Witwatersrand​
  • 15:00-15:20
    Coffee Break​​​
  • 15:20–15:40
    Research at the Department of Polymer Engineering and Science ​​​
    Clemens Holzer, Head of the Chair of Polymer Processing, Technical University of Leoben​
  • 15:40–16:00 ​
    Sustainable Materials and Circular Manufacturing for the Industries of the Future​​
    Rodney Genga, Founder & Chair AfriSMAT​
  • 16:00–16:20 ​ ​
    Intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel and electrolyser cells - Materials and testing​ ​
    Caren Billing, The School of Chemistry, University of Witwatersrand​
  • 16:20–16:40 ​ ​​
    Thermal Processing Technology and Modelling in Recycling, Energy, and Safety ​ ​
    Zlatko Raonic, Senior Scientist - Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Technical University of Leoben​
  • 16:40–17:00 ​​​
    Circular Energy Production and Consumption ​​
    Sunny lyuke, Professor of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering AfriSMAT​
  • 17:00–17:20 ​ ​
    Analytical Chemistry at the Interface of Resources, Environment and Sustainability​ ​
    Johanna Irrgeher, Head of the Isotope Analysis Research Group and Chair of General and Analytical Chemistry, Technical University of Leoben​
  • 17:20–17:40 ​
    Vote of Thanks & Closing Speech ​ ​​
    Rodney Genga & Viruschka Tewary, University of Witwatersrand & Technical University of Leoben​
  • 17:40-18:00​
    Break and Transfer
  • 18:00–21:00
    Red-White-Red Networking Dinner​
    Olive & Plates​
Day 2 - October 6, 2026: Governance Direction and Way Forward
Governance Mission Presentations
  • 09:30–12:00
    Governance Working Session I · From Shared Ambition to Governance Principles
    Participants discuss representation, equal ownership, institutional roles and the principles for a future cooperation framework.
  • 12:00–13:00
    Joint Lunch
    Informal exchange and bilateral discussions among decision-makers and partner representatives.
  • 13:00–15:00
    Governance Working Session II · Mandate, Ownership and the Way Forward
    Participants agree recommendations, responsible institutions, two or three initial pilots, required EBO/BOR decisions and the next milestone.
  • 15:00
    Formal conclusion of the Governance Mission
    The Governance Mission closes with a shared understanding of the proposed direction, follow-up responsibilities and approval process.
Scientific Mission: Project Lab - From Expertise to Project Concept

Find more: 

  • 09:30–09:45
    Opening & Project Lab Briefing
    Workshop instructions, objectives, expected outputs and working methodology
  • 09:45–10:15
    Expertise & Capability Exchange
    Who is here? What expertise, infrastructure, data and capabilities can each participant contribute?
  • 10:15–10:45
    Funding Call & Challenge Alignment
    Identify suitable funding opportunities, call requirements and strategic fit
  • 10:45–11:00
    Coffee Break
  • 11:00–11:40
    Challenge & Research Gap Lab
    What problem should we solve? What is missing in current knowledge/technology? What makes the challenge relevant?
  • 11:40–12:00
    Project Concept Decision
    Agree on preliminary project idea, research questions and objectives
  • 12:00–13:00
    Joint Lunch
    Informal exchange and bilateral discussions among decision-makers and partner representatives.
  • 13:00–13:30
    Industry Partner Matchmaking
    What does industry need? What can researchers offer? What should the project solve in practice?
  • 13:30–14:00
    Research Questions, Objectives & Scope
    Define overall objective, specific objectives and non-objectives
  • 14:00–14:30
    Project Architecture
    Initial methodology, major activities/work packages and expected results
  • 14:30–15:00
    Consortium & Expertise Mapping
    Who contributes what? Which expertise is missing? Which additional partners are needed?
  • 15:00 - 21:30
    Cultural programme and dinner- more information in the overall agenda
Day 3 - October 7, 2026: Scientific Mission: Project Lab - From Project Concept to Proposal Roadmap
  • 09:30–09:45
    Day 1 Recap & Project Decision
    Confirm project concept, funding target and key assumptions
  • 09:45–10:30
    Project Structure & Work Packages
    Translate objectives into work packages, tasks and activities
  • 10:30–11:15
    Roles, Responsibilities & Resources
    Who leads each WP? Who contributes? What infrastructure, data, personnel and resources are required?
  • 11:15–11:30
    Coffee Break
  • 11:30–12:00
    Results, Impact & Implementation
    Deliverables, milestones, expected impact, exploitation and dissemination
  • 12:00–13:00
    Lunch
  • 13:00–14:00
    Project Roadmap Finalisation
    Timeline, proposal responsibilities, missing partners, risks, next actions and submission plan
  • 14:00–14:50
    Project Roadmap Showcase
    Each group presents: project concept, gap, objectives, consortium, work packages and next steps. 10 min per topic
  • 14:50–15:00
    Closing Session – From Meeting to Proposal
    Cross-project feedback, commitments, next meetings and proposal submission pathway
  • 15:00-22:00
    Cultural programme and dinner
    More information in the overall agenda
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