National Research Foundation (NRF) NRF’s New Focus Areas & THRIP: Meeting Foresight Challenges website - www.nrf.ac.za

Establishment of NRF NRF Act (NRF) (CSD) (FRD) Centre for Science Development (CSD) for Social Sciences & Humanities Foundation for Research Development (FRD) for Natural Sciences & Engineering NRF Act National Research Foundation (NRF) Established April 1999. Line responsibility of Department of Arts, Culture, Science & Technology (DACST)

Operating Units of NRF Research Support Agency Four National Research Facilities Research Support Agency (RSA) Pretoria Hartbeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) Krugersdorp SA Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) Sutherland JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology Grahamstown National Accelerator Centre (NAC) Faure

Object of the NRF “To support and promote research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary research facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, including indigenous knowledge and thereby to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all the people of the Republic”

Some Inputs in Developing NRF Focus Areas Animal & Vet. Sciences Biochemistry Chemistry Earth Sciences Engineering Health Sciences Forestry & Agric. Sciences Mathematical Sciences Microbiology & Plant Pathology Physics Plant Studies SET Education Natural Sciences & Engineering Rural Development Crime Prevention Job Creation Urban Renewal Human Resources HIV/AIDS Sustainable Development in Africa National Imperatives Biodiversity Business & Financial Services Environment Energy Health ICT Manufacturing/ Materials Mining & Metallurgy Safety & Security Agriculture & Agro-processing Tourism Youth Foresight Sectors Environmental Sustainability Competitiveness & Employment Creation Promoting an Information Society Enhancing Quality of Life Developing HR S&T White Paper Sociology Psychology Economic Sciences Management Anthropology Arts Law Social Sciences & Humanities

NRF Focus Areas Unlocking the Future - Advancing & Strengthening Strategic Knowledge; Distinct SA Research Opportunities; Conservation & Management of Ecosystems and Biodiveristy; Sustainable Livelihoods - The Eradication of Poverty; Economic Growth and International Competitiveness; ICT and the Information Society in SA; Socio-Political Impact Of Globalisation - The Challenge for SA; Indigenous Knowledge Systems; Education for the Knowledge Era.

Influence of Foresight in NRF Focus Areas Foresight Res. & Techn. Areas NRF Focus Areas Health; Clean Renewable Energy; Advanced Information Systems; Sustainable Natural Resources; Genetic Manipulation; New Materials; Bio-Informatics; Process & Control; Flexible Production; Social & Economic Issues. Unlocking the Future; Distinct SA Research Opportunities; ICT and the Information Society; Sustainable Livelihoods; Ecosystems and Biodiveristy; Economic Growth and Competitiveness; Indigenous Knowledge Systems; Socio-Political Impact Of Globalisation; Education for the Knowledge Era.

Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (established 1991/2) A Joint Venture

Objectives of THRIP To contribute to increase in No. & quality of people with appropriate skills in devt. & management of technology for industry To promote increased interaction among researchers & technology managers in industry, HEIs & SETIs To stimulate industry & Govt. to increase their investment in research, technology devt., technology diffusion & promotion of innovation

Mechanism for THRIP THRIP Industry Skilled People HEI/SETI & Technology HEI/SETI Research base

TIPTOPs in THRIP THRIP Industry HEI/SETI Research base

THRIP Grants Funding History

Success Case 1 - VW Manifold THRIP R587 781 VW R674 531 Gemtech R43 000 June 1998 R1,3 m invested at US New inlet manifold for VW engines meeting stringent Chinese requirements; 10 New jobs at VW & US 3 Postgraduates produced More contracts from VW Germany 40 New jobs at Gemtech R25 million Export to China during 2000 Sustained foreign revenue ~R30 million p.a. Internationally recognized Centre of Excellence in Automotive Engineering March 1999

Research & HR Devt - Univ Stell Case 2 - Crusader Systems 1995 1996 1999 Student in THRIP Spin-off growth Crusader 1 person Crusader 30 persons Tiptop Tech transfer Bursaries Funds Research & HR Devt - Univ Stell Funds Funds Funds THRIP Only SA Co specialising in system products based on AI First innovation (FrothMaster) - being exported monitors production process cost saving R18M in Australian mine won SABS design award 1995 - 1999 Crusader: R1,18M THRIP: R2.25M

THRIP Story 2 - Brewing the Best Students trained 1996 THRIP R36 000 R77 000 SAB staff training SAB Res collaboration Develop Yeast culture storage technology University Free State Lab Tech transf Judged as “Champion Beer” at Interntnl Awards SAB’s Castle Lager Beer Compete 1999

Inputs to THRIP Strategic Planning Foresight Stakeholders Natl Plan HE DTI Cluster Studies HRD Strategy Review of THRIP Strat-Plan 2002 - 2006 SAITIS DTI’s Industrial Strategy White Paper on S&T SMME Needs Presidential Imperatives Report re CoEs Benchmarking

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