Through "tapping into the strengths of Japan", the Asian country can help South Africa deal with its skill shortages, Education Minister Naledi Pandor said Wednesday.

The minister was speaking at the South Africa-Japan Universities forum, held to identify areas in which the countries could collaborate.

"There is a strong need for our higher education systems to expand and enhance our research capability."

South African universities and government had been slow to promote spin-off companies, technology transfer contracts and patents, she said.

In order to battle South Africa's skill shortage in areas such as science, engineering and technology, the minister wanted to increase enrolment and graduation rates in mathematics and science at schools and universities.

Pandor said she also wanted to increase the enrolment of masters and doctoral students and international students, as well as the employment of permanent researchers at higher education institutions to battle the challenge of losing academics.

I-Net Bridge