Current status & challenges with regard to South African Research Chairs Initiative: briefing by Department of Science and Technology

Meeting report

Briefing by Department of Science and Technology (DST)
Dr Qhobela Molapo, Deputy Director-General: Human Capital & Knowledge Systems, DST, briefed Members on the challenges with regard to the South African Research Chairs Initiative and current status. Also in attendance were Ms P Whittle, Deputy Director: Universities, Department of Higher Education and Training, Ms R Maharaj, Executive Director of the National Research Foundation and Mr M Mulcahy, Special Advisor to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Dr Molapo underlined the importance of DST working together with the Department of Higher Education and Training.
The Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) had identified skills, including high-level skills, as a significant constraint in the ongoing development of the economy and society. SA must increase its investment and return in human capital development particularly in science, engineering and technology
There was a commitment to improve the technological and innovation capability and outcomes within the public and private sectors to enhance competitiveness in the global economy and to meet human development priorities.

The goal of the Outcomes Framework was to establish a skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path. This would include increased access to high level occupationally directed programmes in needed areas and increasing the graduate output in the natural and physical sciences and engineering. A further output would include the increased output of Honours, Masters, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral fellows; provide increased support to industry –university partnerships and increased investment in research and development especially in the science, engineering and technology sector.
The High Level Human Capital was viewed under two headings namely; human resource development and high level skills training. Graphs and statistics with regard to university enrollments and shape of these enrollments were viewed and clarified. The shape of enrollments were broken down into different categories namely, occasional, national diploma and undergraduate enrollments. Totals for all these categories were provided.
Remedies for addressing the critical areas for attention were discussed. These remedies included encouraging the new generation of researchers, developing the emerging researchers and maximizing the output of the established researchers. The average age of researchers was viewed as a matter of concern.
The aims of the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) were provided and these included plans to expand the scientific research base, increase the number of world class researchers, attract and retain excellence and create research career pathways for highly skilled, high quality young and mid-career researchers. Statistics regarding numbers of chairs and funding was also provided.
At inception, the 7 Centres of Excellent (CoEs) were funded between R5 million – R7 million. Only 2 were funded at 50%. The funding escalated at 5% per annum and the period of funding was 10 years. Their key Performance areas were Human Capital Development (HCD), Research Outputs, Knowledge Brokerage, Service Rendering and Networking.
Discussion
Ms M Dunjwa (ANC) asked what the measuring stick was in terms of skills and asked whether a breakdown in terms of growth, gender and race could be provided. She sought clarity about how people with disabilities would be covered by the provision within the briefing. She also wanted to know who the COEs were accountable to.

Dr Molapo replied that the question of disability was being addressed. In addition, he stated that the CoEs were accountable to DST.

Mr M Nonkonyana (ANC) asked how slide 3 point six applied to the private sector and the unemployed. He also asked whether there was a forum and how often they met. He asked what sort of interaction existed with regard to organized labour.

Ms M Shinn (DA) questioned the number of chairs mentioned in the briefing since she was aware of only 68 new chairs and wanted to know which were the non-operational chairs. She referred to the National Research Foundation (NRF) ratings and asked what the relevance to that was.

Professor W James referred to the concept of Research Chairs. He stated that professional Chairs were there to address and solve unresolved problems. He expressed his appreciation for the program and indicated that he felt it was a very good one. High level of training was needed to solve unresolved problems. He felt that ongoing training was essential.

Mr M Fransman (ANC), Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Education and Training, addressed two issues. Firstly, he raised concerns about the impact of the high dropout rate. Secondly, on the issue of skills and high tech technology, he wanted to know whether there was a strategy to recruit the best internationally who could be utilized.

The Chairperson referred to skills strategy in terms of career guidance and alluded to the involvement of the parents.

Professor James mentioned that agricultural science was doing well.  

Dr Molapo answered all the above mentioned questions with reference to the presentation in a satisfactory manner and there was no dissatisfaction expressed concerning the programme.

The meeting was adjourned.