12 October 2006 NRF Strategic Workshop 19/09/2006

NRF MANDATE To promote & support research through HR development, providing research facilities To promote & support research through HR development, providing research facilities To facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development science, technology & indigenous knowledge To facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development science, technology & indigenous knowledge To contribute to improved quality of life for all in RSA To contribute to improved quality of life for all in RSA

NRF VISION STATEMENT “The NRF aims for a prosperous South Africa and African continent steeped in a knowledge culture, free of widespread diseases and poverty, and proud contributors to the well-being of humanity.” “The NRF aims for a prosperous South Africa and African continent steeped in a knowledge culture, free of widespread diseases and poverty, and proud contributors to the well-being of humanity.”

CORE MISSION OF NRF Develop Human Resources Develop Human Resources Generate Knowledge in Priority areas (National & Continental) Generate Knowledge in Priority areas (National & Continental) Utilization of knowledge, technology transfer, innovation Utilization of knowledge, technology transfer, innovation Provision of SOTA* Research Infrastructure Provision of SOTA* Research Infrastructure *State-of-the-art *State-of-the-art

X-CUTTING PRIORITIES Redressing Inequalities in race & gender Redressing Inequalities in race & gender Adhering to quality & excellence Adhering to quality & excellence Internationalizing research Internationalizing research Focusing on Africa Focusing on Africa Positioning the NRF within the NSI Positioning the NRF within the NSI Transforming the NRF organizationally Transforming the NRF organizationally

THE NRF ENVIRONMENT From Coopetition by Brandenburger & Nalenbuff Competitors Partners Clients Suppliers NRF

CompetitorsPartners Clients Suppliers Competitive Rivalry Within The Industry Internal NRF -Strategy, Structure, Systems -Capabilities -Management Philosophies INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

Partners Clients Suppliers Internal NRF Competitors -Doing similar things -For Govt. Funding -By-passing NRF COMPETITORS

CompetitorsPartners Suppliers Internal NRF Clients -Universities -Other Institutions -Individual researchers -Students -more?? CLIENTS

Competitors Clients Suppliers Internal NRF Partners -Providers of help/support -Allies to collaborate with - Higher Ed. Inst, - Other Science councils, - Govt/Industry PARTNERS

Competitors Partners Clients Internal NRF Suppliers Line Dept. DST Others dti DoE DoL SUPPLIERS

OPERATING FRAMEWORK Investing in knowledge, people, infrastructure Investing in knowledge, people, infrastructure Promoting basic, applied research & innovation Promoting basic, applied research & innovation Developing research capacity Developing research capacity Advancing equity and redress; unlock potential Advancing equity and redress; unlock potential Facilitating strategic partnerships and knowledge networks Facilitating strategic partnerships and knowledge networks Upholding research excellence Upholding research excellence

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS Internally Internally –Finalizing senior level appointments –Creating more systematic synergies RISA; National Research Facilities RISA; National Research Facilities –Focus on flagship programs, e.g. SALT Externally – securing greater funding Externally – securing greater funding Substitution effect - cannibalization Substitution effect - cannibalization Key Driver - Ph.D. Production Key Driver - Ph.D. Production

STAKEHOLDERS Sensitive Stakeholder management Sensitive Stakeholder management –Higher Education Sector –Grant Management & Systems Admin Serve grant applicants customer friendly Serve grant applicants customer friendly Peer review systems revised to be sensitive to stakeholder needs Peer review systems revised to be sensitive to stakeholder needs Help key SHs to fulfill their mandate Help key SHs to fulfill their mandate

Expand the scale and impact of current key deliverables through Collaboration/Role clarification (mandate) Collaboration/Role clarification (mandate) Additional funding Additional funding Possible re-organisation in system Possible re-organisation in system MAIN CHALLENGE FOR NRF

Pro-actively influence policies and priorities to feed into DST; Pro-actively influence policies and priorities to feed into DST; Programmes run on behalf of DST: e.g. IF, CoEs, ResChairs and other MoUs; Programmes run on behalf of DST: e.g. IF, CoEs, ResChairs and other MoUs; NRF to play leading role in cooperation between DST and DoE; NRF to play leading role in cooperation between DST and DoE; Cooperation with government in general. Cooperation with government in general. ISSUES TO TAKE UP: (1) MANDATE DST AND NRF

Funding possibilities to be explored: Effective accessing of funds obtained through MTEF submission; e.g., DST: R1,2b Effective accessing of funds obtained through MTEF submission; e.g., DST: R1,2b Funding partnerships with industry and public entities Funding partnerships with industry and public entities ISSUES TO TAKE UP (2) RESOURCES

Possible re-organisation in system, NRF Clustering of research institutes and National Research Facilities; Clustering of research institutes and National Research Facilities; Consultation with stakeholders Consultation with stakeholders ISSUES TO TAKE UP (3)

Way forward …