1. National Research Foundation (NRF)
NRF’s New Focus Areas & THRIP:
Meeting Foresight Challenges
website -

2. Establishment of NRF NRF Act (NRF) (CSD) (FRD)
Centre for Science Development
(CSD)
for Social Sciences & Humanities
Foundation for Research Development
(FRD)
for Natural Sciences & Engineering
NRF Act
National Research Foundation
(NRF)
Established April 1999.
Line responsibility of
Department of Arts, Culture,
Science & Technology (DACST)

3. Operating Units of NRF Research Support Agency
Four National Research Facilities
Research Support
Agency (RSA)
Pretoria
Hartbeesthoek Radio
Astronomy Observatory
(HartRAO)
Krugersdorp
SA Astronomical
Observatory
(SAAO)
Sutherland
JLB Smith Institute
of Ichthyology
Grahamstown
National Accelerator
Centre (NAC)
Faure

4. Object of the NRF
“To support and promote 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”

5. Some Inputs in Developing NRF Focus Areas
Animal &
Vet. Sciences
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Earth Sciences
Engineering
Health Sciences
Forestry &
Agric. Sciences
Mathematical
Sciences
Microbiology &
Plant Pathology
Physics
Plant Studies
SET Education
Natural Sciences
& Engineering
Rural Development
Crime Prevention
Job Creation
Urban Renewal
Human Resources
HIV/AIDS
Sustainable
Development
in Africa
National Imperatives
Biodiversity
Business & Financial Services
Environment
Energy
Health
ICT
Manufacturing/
Materials
Mining & Metallurgy
Safety &
Security
Agriculture &
Agro-processing
Tourism
Youth
Foresight Sectors
Environmental
Sustainability
Competitiveness &
Employment
Creation
Promoting an
Information Society
Enhancing Quality
of Life
Developing HR
S&T White
Paper
Sociology
Psychology
Economic
Sciences
Management
Anthropology
Arts
Law
Social Sciences
& Humanities

6. NRF Focus Areas
Unlocking the Future - Advancing & Strengthening Strategic Knowledge;
Distinct SA Research Opportunities;
Conservation & Management of Ecosystems and Biodiveristy;
Sustainable Livelihoods - The Eradication of Poverty;
Economic Growth and International Competitiveness;
ICT and the Information Society in SA;
Socio-Political Impact Of Globalisation - The Challenge for SA;
Indigenous Knowledge Systems;
Education for the Knowledge Era.

7. Influence of Foresight in NRF Focus Areas
Foresight Res. & Techn. Areas
NRF Focus Areas
Health;
Clean Renewable Energy;
Advanced Information Systems;
Sustainable Natural Resources;
Genetic Manipulation;
New Materials;
Bio-Informatics;
Process & Control;
Flexible Production;
Social & Economic Issues.
Unlocking the Future;
Distinct SA Research Opportunities;
ICT and the Information Society;
Sustainable Livelihoods;
Ecosystems and Biodiveristy;
Economic Growth and Competitiveness;
Indigenous Knowledge Systems;
Socio-Political Impact Of Globalisation;
Education for the Knowledge Era.

8. Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme
(established 1991/2)
A Joint Venture

9. Objectives of THRIP
To contribute to increase in No. & quality of people with
appropriate skills in devt. & management of technology for industry
To promote increased interaction among researchers &
technology managers in industry, HEIs & SETIs
To stimulate industry & Govt. to increase their investment in research, technology devt., technology diffusion & promotion of innovation

10. Mechanism for THRIP THRIP Industry Skilled People HEI/SETI
& Technology
HEI/SETI
Research base

11. TIPTOPs in THRIP
THRIP
Industry
HEI/SETI
Research base

12. THRIP Grants Funding History

13. Success Case 1 - VW Manifold
THRIP R
VW R
Gemtech R43 000
June 1998
R1,3 m invested at US
New inlet manifold for VW engines meeting stringent Chinese requirements; 10 New jobs at VW & US 3 Postgraduates produced More contracts from VW Germany 40 New jobs at Gemtech R25 million Export to China during 2000 Sustained foreign revenue ~R30 million p.a.
Internationally recognized Centre of Excellence in Automotive Engineering
March 1999

14. Research & HR Devt - Univ Stell
Case 2 - Crusader Systems
1995
1996
1999
Student in THRIP
Spin-off
growth
Crusader
1 person
Crusader
30 persons
Tiptop
Tech transfer
Bursaries
Funds
Research & HR Devt - Univ Stell
Funds
Funds
Funds
THRIP
Only SA Co specialising in system products based on AI
First innovation (FrothMaster) - being exported
monitors production process
cost saving R18M in Australian mine
won SABS design award
Crusader: R1,18M
THRIP: R2.25M

15. THRIP Story 2 - Brewing the Best
Students trained
1996
THRIP
R36 000
R77 000
SAB staff training
SAB
Res collaboration
Develop
Yeast culture storage technology
University Free State Lab
Tech transf
Judged as “Champion Beer” at Interntnl Awards
SAB’s Castle Lager Beer
Compete
1999

16. Inputs to THRIP Strategic Planning
Foresight
Stakeholders
Natl Plan HE
DTI Cluster Studies
HRD Strategy
Review of THRIP
Strat-Plan
SAITIS
DTI’s Industrial Strategy
White Paper on S&T
SMME Needs
Presidential Imperatives
Report re CoEs
Benchmarking

17. Thank You