1 10 March 2006 NRF Business Plan 2006/ /09

2 1.NRF as Science Council 2.Mandate and strategic approach 3.Structure and scope 4.SAASTA 5.RISA 6.The National Research Facilities 7.New Business Development 8.Finances Contents

3 NRF RISA (includes SAASTA) National Facilities Research focus a national priority Available to researchers Major, unique national equipment Granting Public awareness for S&T Advocacy for S&T SABS Standards-setting Consumer protection Performing Science Councils CSIR HSRC ARC CGS Mintek Conduct sector- specific research MRC Conduct sector- specific research Granting Understanding the Science Councils

4 Promote and support 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 Mandate of the NRF

5 A prosperous South Africa and African continent osteeped in a culture of knowledge ofree of poverty and its attendant diseases and oproud contributors to the well-being of humanity Vision

6 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS INDUSTRY Human Resources Development Interventions INTERNATIONAL LINKS NGOs GOVT DEPTS SCIENCE COUNCILS NRF South African National System of Innovation GLOBAL SADC Innovation Interventions NRF Mandate in the NSI

7 Policy analysis (e.g. benchmarking, alignment with DST priorities) NRF Executive strategic planning workshop NRF Board strategic planning workshop Formulation of policy options Consultation with stakeholder community Alignment of 2007/08 Business Plan to five-year strategic plan Planning process for future five year strategic plan

8 human resources oHigh quality human resources in substantially increasing numbers knowledge oHigh quality knowledge in prioritised areas that address national & continental development needs innovation oUtilisation of knowledge, technology transfer and innovation to ensure tangible benefits to society from the knowledge created infrastructure oState-of-the-art infrastructure that is essential to facilitate the development of high quality human resources and knowledge Core Missions (Annexure A)

9 o oEquity and redress o oAdherence to quality o oInternationalisation of research o oFocus on Africa o oPositioning the NRF within the NSI o oOrganisational transformation: o oBusiness processes and procedures o oHuman resources and transformation o oFinancial Cross-cutting Strategic Priorities (Annexure A)

10 System requirement: Poverty alleviation through Radical HRD intervention R&D workforce per 1000 of population0.526 HE enrolment m2,4m PhD throughput/undergraduate enrolment 1/5281/2501/80 PhD graduates/annum >5 800

11 The production of large numbers of high quality PhDs required as the bedrock for an innovative and entrepreneurial knowledge society The Key Driver of Change

12 Quality of life National Research Foundation Public S&T outreach (SAASTA) Research and Innovation Support & Advancement (RISA) Provision of National Research Facilities Three Pillars of the NRF

Creation of SET human capital Stimulation & enhancement of innovation Stimulation of enhanced entrepreneurship Enterprise Development Innovation Technology Promotion Knowledge Generation Science Advancement Processes SAASTA Nat. Facilities FA: Education Focus Area Programmes Institutional Capacity Dev. Centres of Excellence National Research Facilities THRIP Innovation Fund Programmes Desired outcomes Acting Along the Value Chain

14 Unlocking the Future Distinct SA Research Opportunities Conservation & Biodiversity Sustainable livelihoods Econ Growth & Intntnl. Competitiveness ICT & Information Society Impact of Globalisation IKS Education the dti THRIP DST Innovation Fund International S&T Agreements Research Chairs Centres of Excellence DoL Scarce Skills Fund DEAT Marine & Coastal Mngmnt SAAO HartRAO HMO SAIAB SAEON NZG iThemba LABS Core budget (NRF & stakeholders defines) Client budget (Mission-driven) National priority RISA National Facilities Strategic Focus

S CI E N C E MI S SI O N S MuseumZooObservatory SCIENCE AWARENESS PLATFORM EDUCATION SCIENCE COMMUNICATION School science support Science materials Communication of research to public audiences Science and the media SET Careers KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENTKNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SAASTA Approach

16 Relations with national and provincial DoEs for maths and science education Completing Phase 1 of redevelopment of Johannesburg Observatory as multi-disciplinary science park Life Sciences Centre (NZG) New national science communication programmes Materials development aligned to school curriculum SAASTA

17 Investment levels for human resource development Rolling out CoE; SARCHI; Innovation Post-doctoral fellowship programme Seamless approach GMSA: stakeholder-sensitive service KFD: Social sciences, humanities and law ICD: Partnerships with HEIs, SCs, etc. IT support: NRF on-line RISA: Challenges

18 Unique positionUnique position in SA knowledge production international standardTechnology, methods, data pools / collections of international standard alignedGoals and knowledge diffusion aligned to objectives of NSI Critical massCritical mass of equipment, skills & users international collaboratorsAbility to attract international collaborators research capacity developmentProvide opportunities of research capacity development to disadvantaged science advancement, education & outreachPlatform for science advancement, education & outreach National Facilities

19 Promoting flagship programmes Resourcing strategic long-term choices Focus on Africa Drafting 5-year research plans: research outputs International Polar Year National Facilities: Challenges

20 Managing SALT in the steady state Developing user community (NASSP) Focus on Africa (AISS) Collateral Benefits IT upgrade Optical & Infra-red Astronomy South African Astronomical Observatory

21 Radio Astronomy Kitty; KAT; ….SKA? Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory Re-orientation: Radio Astronomy & Space Geodesy Space Geodesy International Institute for Space Geodesy and Earth Observation Radio Astronomy and Space Geodesy

Geomagnetism and Space Physics Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO) Funding for flagship programme: Ihlabathi Science outreach Post-graduate student training

23 RADIOISOTOPE PRODUCTION RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS RADIOTHERAPY RADIOBIOLOGY Secure funding for MRMC project Obtain new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner (R6,5m) Development of prototype beam line Complete integration of iThemba LABS Gauteng Expand IT capacity iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences

24 Moving National Fish Collection to new collection facility Balance between Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater research capacity Create funding platform for ACEP Establish a Aquatic Conservation Genetics Laboratory South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) Aquatic Biodiversity Aquatic Biodiversity

25 South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) In situ environmental observation systems Grow SAEON Ndlovu node Establish coastal-inshore zone in collaboration with SAIAB Designate nodes for the arid lands, forests and grasslands Implement information management system using computational technologies

National Zoological Gardens Promotion of conservation of Africa’s biodiversity for sustainable development

27 Finalising strategic planning alignment with NRF Establish research department according to research strategy Complete infrastructure projects Feasibility study for Life Sciences Centre National Zoological Gardens

28 New Business Development Growing the NRF’s financial resources, requires effective delivery on its mandate, through –International relations –Government relations –Industry relations –Corporate Communication –Corporate Branding

2006/072007/082008/09 R’m Human Capital in S&T Research Chairs Initiative Astronomy Frontiers Programme Space Geodesy & Earth Observation 10 9 Antarctica & Intl. Polar Year Intl. Post-Doc. Fellowship HMO Flagship Project6,5 2 2 SAAO in SALT Era NZG as a Research Facility Research &Tech. Infrastructure NRF Facilities Infrastructure NRF Healthcare Liability TOTAL POLICY OPTIONS 667, MTEF ALLOCATION TOTAL MTEF SUBMISSION 1 222, Growth136%29%25% MTEF Policy Options & Budget Submission

31 Amendment of NRF Act Role clarification: DST e.g. IKS unit: policy, support interventions, database development IPR initiatives vs Innovation Fund initiatives Funding for research equipment & R&D infrastructure Programmes run on behalf of DST: Innovation Fund; Centres of Excellence; Research Chairs Science missions: prioritisation DST coordination with DoE Immediate challenges (1)

32 Accessing funds obtained through MTEF submission; DST: R1,2b NZG: Due diligence – funding shortfall PRMB unfunded liability (R60m) Staff capacity to react to ad hoc allocation of funds Immediate challenges (2)

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