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

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: Staff ~550 iThemba SAAO HartRAO SAIAB HMO

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

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

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

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: n at least 5 students involved of which > 50% are black or female n SMMEs invest financially n 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 TypeBlackFemaleTotal Principal Researcher Team Members Post-Docs81761 Total Researchers Students Student Category BlackFemaleForeignTotal Undergrad Hons Masters TIPTOPs Doctoral Total

THRIP-supported outputs for 2001 Outputs Number Pulications3580 Patents100 Products500

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