1. National Accessibility Portal
Enhancing development and independence of persons with disabilities through communication, information and data sharing system

2. Digital Doorway
Computer skills through concept of minimally invasive education

3. AmaDrum
Making clean water accessible to rural communities

4. Mining
Technology to reduce explosions in underground collieries and rockbursts in deep level gold mines

5. Bioceramic orbital implant
Fully synthetic
Safe (no disease transmission)
Large quantities possible
No special storage, screening
No environmental impact
Direct tissue apposition
Smooth cap (conjunctival erosion)

6. S&T Portfolio Committee
A Tale of Two Cultures
Presentation to
S&T Portfolio Committee
14 September 2004

7. Objects of CSIR (Mandate)
The objects of the CSIR are, through directed and particularly multi-disciplinary research and technological innovation, to foster, in the national interest and in fields which in its opinion should receive preference, industrial and scientific development, either by itself or in co-operation [with] private or public sectors, and thereby to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the people of [South Africa], and to perform any other functions that may be assigned to the CSIR by or under [the] Act.
Scientific Research Council Act 1988 (as amended 1990)

8. Reason for Existence Public Mandate People Impact
Remain faithful to it
People
S&T Base = People + Knowledge+ Facilities
Impact
Always ask what difference you make

9. Desirable Behaviour Ethics & Values Good Governance
Act with integrity, behave ethically
Good Governance
Show absolute respect for PFMA
Conform to King II
Good Business Sense
Adopt a sound business culture

10. Reason + Behaviour = Identity
Public Mandate
People
Impact
Ethics & Values
Good Governance
Good Business Sense
Conventional business

11. Market Imperfection (“Failure”)
Clash of Identity…
Market Imperfection (“Failure”)
versus
Market Opportunity

12. …Clash of Identity R&D with sound business principles versus
Business with an R&D focus
Need not be difference in content
But it is a difference in intent

13. Agile Innovation Market R&D Society R&D technology, knowledge transfer
people transfer
Market
R&D
technology, knowledge transfer
people transfer
Society
R&D
Must be able to spin-out businesses and non-profits
Public Good outcomes embedded in both

14. Ideal Institutional Features
Clear identity of Public Research Institution driven by Public Mandate
Scientifically agile research core
Socio-economic public outcomes
Clear identity of business driven by market opportunity spawned from research work
Commercially agile complementary function

15. Balanced View S&T falls into 2 broad categories:
Knowledge Generation (R&D)
Knowledge Application (Innovation)
Intent also falls into 2 categories:
Broad public benefit (“Public Good”)
Specific commercial benefit (“Private Gain”)

16. S&T Activities Knowledge Application Knowledge Generation
“Public Good”
Broad Society & Economy
“Private Gain”
Specific Commercial Clients
Beneficiaries:
Enhance quality of life:
technology for development,
poverty reduction, job creation
Knowledge
Application
Foster industrial development:
IP-based start-ups, job creation
own IP licensing to
commercial clients
Knowledge services for
commercial clients
government policy, standards &
service delivery
Short, medium or long term R&D:
Low, medium or high risk
Directed by public need
Mostly grant funding
Public domain outputs + own IP
Opportunity & obligation to
develop knowledge workers
Short term contract R&D:
Low risk
Specific commercial needs
Contract funding
Typically, client-owned IP
Tight budgets & schedules
require skilled researchers
Knowledge
Generation
Government & Other Parties
Public & Private Sector Clients
Sponsors:

17. Start-ups, IP Licensing
Commercial Knowledge Application
Start-ups, IP Licensing
Knowledge Services
Commercial Partners
Social Knowledge Application
Foundation
Non-profit Partners
Knowledge Generation
RESEARCH
Knowledge Partners
Proposed CSIR Functional Model

18. Conclusion Mandate, People, Impact matter
Ethics, Governance, Business matter
Agility, Renewal, Transformation matter
Rigid institution is the matter
Must advance to “CSIR beyond 60”

19. Sibusiso Sibisi President, CSIR
Thank You
Sibusiso Sibisi
President, CSIR