Work of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Relating to Arts & Culture Prepared for: The Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture Dr Rocky Skeef Tuesday 08 March 2005

Business of the NRF To promote & support research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary research facilities

Specific Initiatives Involving NRF which Relate to Arts & Culture  Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)  Human Language Technologies (HLT)

NRF Focus Areas for Research Funding from Parliamentary Core Grant (approx R240M for 2004/05) 1.Unlocking the Future 2.Distinct SA Research Opportunities 3.Conservation & Management of Ecosystems & Biodiversity 4.Economic Growth & International Competitiveness 5.Education & the Challenges for Change 6.Indigenous Knowledge Systems (R10M) 7.ICT & the Information Society 8.Socio-political Impact of Globalisation 9.Sustainable Livelihoods

Specific Objectives for IKS Focus Area 1.Support postgraduate training in IKS 2.Develop & expand the IKS research field 3.IK science outreach 4.Establish academic & intellectual support base for IKS in SA 5.Develop an information management system for IKS 6.Encourage & support research initiatives on language & IKS

IKS Grant Categories for 2005/06 CategoryAppl Received Appl Awarded NoValue (R000) Arts, Crafts & Materials21563 Cross-cutting92336 Indigenous Food Systems Indigenous Medicine & Health Nature of IKS61174 Socio-cultural Systems Total

Specific Arts, Crafts & Materials Projects IKS, Design & African Independent Churches Investigating the role of IKS on the design of African religious artifacts amongst the African Independent Churches in Jhb & surrounding areas. Rock Art Research Institute Developing a history for the development of IKS of pre- colonial Southern Africa using evidence provided by rock art.

Developments Around the Human Language Technologies (HLT) Initiative

Rationale Recognition of the need for a HLT Centre with following functions:  Research, coordination & consultation  Acquisition, enhancement & management of digital text & speech data for all official languages as reusable resources for development of HLT applications  Development of specialised open-source software for Natural Language Processing  HR development through implementation of HLT training & reskilling programmes

2000Strategic Plan for development of HLTs in SA submitted by PANSALB Steering Comm to Minister of ACST 2002Panel appointed by Minister advised him to establish a HLT Centre within DAC Outcome of consideration within DAC is that a National Facility more appropriate Developments

2003Dr von Gruenewaldt of NRF appointed onto Steering Comm to assist with developing establishment of the HLT National Facility 2004D-G of DAC (Prof Mosala) invited NRF to manage and operate the HLT National Facility Acceptable to Board and CEO of NRF. Matter receiving attention between NRF & DST Developments Contd.

Existing Research Capacity in HLT Within University of Stellenbosch:  Research Unit for Experimental Phonology (RUEPUS) in Dept of African Languages  Digital Speech Processing (DSP) group within Dept Electrical & Electronic Engineering Was short-listed in assessing proposals for establishment of DST CoEs