National Research Foundation Presentation forTrade & Industry Portfolio Comm. Dr Rocky Skeef - 28 may 2002 website - www.nrf.ac.za

Structure of NRF Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology NRF Board President & CEO Research Support Agency (RSA) Corporate: Finance Human Res. PR & Comm. National Research Facilities: iThemba SAAO HartRAO SAIAB HMO Staff ~550

Building Knowledge Base Mission driven funding RSA: Agency Function Building Knowledge Base Mission driven funding THRIP (DTI) Innovation Fund (DACST) Skills Development (DoL) Other (e.g. DEAT) Focus Area Programmes Research Capacity Development Others (e.g. ICE) Knowledge Management Strategic Advice Evaluation Research Information Others (e.g. IT, IPR)

Alignment of THRIP with Key Emerging National/DTI Policies THRIP is a key role player in the realisation of the following emerging policies: Integrated Manufacturing Strategy; Microeconomic Reform Strategy; Integrated Strategies to Support Small Business. Strengthening of support for these policies is on-going

TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN RESOURCES FOR INDUSTRY PROGRAMME (THRIP) Objectives To facilitate the supply of appropriate high level skills for industry To encourage interaction between researchers & technology managers in industry, HEIs & SETIs To increase industry’s investment in research, technology development & technology diffusion

THRIP: Funding Criteria General Access Formula: R1 THRIP for R2 Industry: If all THRIP criteria are being met Special Access Formula: R1 for R1: Where at least 1 of the following THRIP priorities apply: at least 5 students involved of which > 50% are black or female SMMEs invest financially More than 1 industrial partner collaborating

THRIP Performance Information

Distribution of THRIP Funding Between Institutions for 2001 Total = R134 million

Participation of Firms in THRIP during 2001 Total Funding = R298 million Total Number = 372

Composition of Researchers & Students supported through THRIP during 2001 Researcher Type Black Female Total Principal Researcher 14 18 220 Team Members 105 193 767 Post-Docs 8 17 61 127 228 1048 Researchers Student Category Black Female Foreign Total Undergrad 47 26 4 82 Hons 247 135 10 456 Masters 449 360 92 1194 TIPTOPs 34 21 119 Doctoral 138 177 88 597 915 719 194 2448 Students

THRIP-supported outputs for 2001 Number Pulications 3580 Patents 100 Products 500

THRIP Success: Automotive Industry Design and Development of New Inlet Manifold US + Gemtech + VW South Africa Total investment: R1.3 million Outcome: Gemtech awarded R 25 million export contract to China for 2000 by VW SA with likelihood for renewal

Conclusion NRF is an important role player in the realisation of key government/DTI policy objectives THRIP is well positioned to enable these objectives in the medium to long term and should be funded more comprehensively to make a meaningful contribution The mandate, infrastructure and experience of the NRF position it favourably to engage the DTI beyond THRIP