Council for Scientific and Industrial Research: Annual Report briefing
Science, Technology and Innovation
09 October 2007
Meeting Summary
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Meeting report
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PORTFLIO COMMITTEE
09 October 2007
COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH: ANNUAL REPORT BRIEFING
Documents handed out:
CSIR Annual
report 206/07: Summary of achievements
Audio recording of
meeting
SUMMARY
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research briefed the Committee on
its mandate, its performance highlights over the last year, and progress with
different partners and collaborators. Performance highlights over the last year
were tabled, including publications and increase in qualifications. There was
greater involvement with the private sector leading to greater investment in
scientific infrastructure. Details were given of research and development programmes,
including research into alternative
materials, research on the motion of atoms and molecules using femtosecond
lasers, breakthroughs in bacterial cell surface engineering, new versions on
long range day and night sensor systems, recovery of products from mine wastewater
and dumps, and access to satellite imagery. The social impact of the Council
was noted, focusing on stimulation of economic activity, involvement in rural
communities and the partnership approach. Human capital development was
assisted by registration of patents, creation of learnerships and internships.
The broad based black economic empowerment charter and targets were finalised. The
Council showed sound overall financial performance, with an unqualified audit
report, showing a 12.7% increase in total operating income, with a strong
balance sheet showing good positioning for future investments. The Parliamentary
Grant had increased by 7.5% to R423.8 million, and the contract R & D
income had increased by 14.9%. Members
asked questions around the programmes, the success rate of poverty alleviation
projects, and the direct involvement of the Council in the projects,
coordination of research councils, the benefits of new equipment and satellite
imaging, and the involvement in mine health and safety, particularly with
reference to the recent mine disaster. The role of the Council in registration
of patents and protection of intellectual property, the size and benefits of
the Council, and some of its current research, were discussed. The Committee
requested the Council to continue to monitor implemented projects, the need for
greater emphasis on mine safety, and commented favourably upon its focus.
MINUTES
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Annual Report Briefing
Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, President and Chief Executive Officer, CSIR, discussed
the broad background of the organisation, including its mandate. He explained
that it was important to recall the rationale for its existence, and commented
that CSIR conducted its mandate by being involved in partnerships, as well as
conducting research on worldwide events and developments. He gave an example of
climate change, a particularly topical issue. He noted that the CSIR
concentrated mainly on directed research, as opposed to basic research. It was
also involved with other science councils.
Dr Sibisi then examined some of CSIR’s performance highlights. Publications in
peer-reviewed literature, patents, and qualification levels were all
increasing. These included the assistance of people with disabilities in relation
to computers and related technologies. There had also been great growth in
qualifications of black people in general, and women,
and CSIR had managed to maintain good governance amidst all the changes and
progress. In terms of partnerships, the
CSIR believed that it was important to form relationships with other science
councils. There were both dormant and active partnerships and some of these
partnerships were showing increasing advantages. Dr Sibisi added that CSIR has
formed relationships also with the private sector. Investment in scientific
infrastructure had increased and quality processes were improved.
Dr Sibisi then moved to the also presented on the Research and Development, noting
that over half the work was now being done on a multi-year basis, and in large-scale
projects. Examples were tabled, including research into alternative materials,
research on the motion of atoms and molecules using femtosecond lasers,
breakthroughs in bacterial cell surface engineering, new versions on long range
day and night sensor systems, recovery of products from mine wastewater and
dumps, and access to satellite imagery.
CSIR also now had a social impact. The Technology Transfer for Social Impact
unit had been established to manage technology-based products, stimulate
economic activity, particularly in rural communities, and to adopt a
partnership approach. People were able to engage in small enterprises, including
essential oils and medicinal plants, hydroponics and leather beneficiation
projects. Other projects included water sanitation, health, crime prevention,
enterprise creation, and education and youth projects. A summary of projects
with their direct social impact was tabled. The CSIR also aided in human
capital development, by assisting in registering patents, creating learnerships
and internships for new graduates Publication
was a key output and publications grew by 23% in the past year, assisting better
partnerships and aiding in the commissioning of research for other organisations.
Dr Sibisi detailed the capital development of its research professionals, and
tabled an analysis of the Masters and doctoral degrees. The broad based black
economic empowerment charter and targets were finalised. It had sound overall
financial performance, with an unqualified audit report, showing a 12.7%
increase in total operating income, with a strong balance sheet showing good
positioning for future investments. The Parliamentary Grant had increased by
7.5% to R423.8 million, and the contract R & D income had increased by
14.9%.
Discussion
Mr A Ainslie (ANC) asked if the CSIR was programme based or activity
based
Dr Sibisi stated that the CSIR organized activities around scientific themes,
so they have broad programmes, and the activities existed within the programmes.
Dr Hoffie Maree CSIR Group Executive: Operations, added that the activities had
been organized broadly into programmes, but were called units.
Mr Ainslie wanted to know the difference between the Group and CSIR, in their
financial status.
Mr Chris Sturdy, Interim Chief Financial Officer, CSIR, said that the term
‘Group’ referred to a larger part of CSIR, being companies that were wholly
controlled by CSIR or had been invested in by CSIR.
Mr Ainslie asked what the success rate of the poverty alleviation projects was.
Ms Khungeka Njobe, Group Executive: Research and Development outcomes, CSIR, replied
that CSIR created projects, but their mandate was not to implement these
projects themselves. However, their different partners did assist in the
poverty alleviation projects
Mr Ainslie wanted to know if there was any basic research done in matters that
would assist the rural poor.
Ms Njobe responded that there was a research group on rural infrastructure,
which showed that the CSIR did have value in the rural aid context.
Mr S Nxumalo (ANC) asked who was responsible for coordinating all the research
councils, including universities doing research.
Dr Sibisi replied that there were about eight science councils, which reported
directly to the Department of Science and Technology (DST). There was also an organization known as the
Committee for Heads of Research and Technology Organisation (COHORTS), which
consisted of the heads of science councils, and this was also responsible for
coordination across the councils.
Mr Nxumalo also asked if the ratio of the new researchers coming in reflected
the CSIR only or other national groups as well.
Dr Sibisi stated that the number of new researchers tabled referred to CSIR
only.
Mr Nxumalo asked if the equipment referred to had contributed to any
breakthroughs, and if the organisation had patented any products.
Dr Maree replied that there was a product that consisted of semi-solid metal
alloys that could be helpful in the automotive industries, and other products
that could help different industries.
Mr Nxumalo enquired if the satellite imagery could inform of any droughts or
environmental problems.
Dr Sibisi said that the weather services could predict weather patterns, but
the role played by the satellite can play was particularly important in alleviating
veld fires, as it helped to locate where they started and where they are
spreading to.
Mr C Morkel (ANC) wanted to know the involvement of the CSIR in regard to mine
safety
Dr Sibisi replied that CSIR was responsible for mine health and safety,
including the testing of equipment. The
CSIR collaborated with different relevant departments, including DST and
Minerals and Energy, so there was an interplay in
regard to safety standards.
Mr Morkel asked if the CSIR could protect an individual’s intellectual property
rights.
Dr Sibisi replied that this depended on the situation. At times an individual could come up with an
idea, and CSIR would find a way to create a situation where both the individual
and CSIR would benefit from production of the idea. At other times they would
not be able to offer protection of intellectual property.
Mr Sturdy added that there was an innovation fund that had patent protection
for such ideas
Prof I Mohamed (ANC) asked what the CSIR’s involvement was in the recent mining
disaster.
Dr Sibisi said that with reference to the mining disaster, there was a need to
review mining practices in the country, and mining equipment needed to be
tested more thoroughly. He could not shed light on what caused the disaster as
there was still an investigation underway.
Prof Mohamed wondered if perhaps the CSIR had grown so that it was now too
large.
Dr Sibisi responded that there were numerous groups that had spawned from the CSIR,
and some of them had been allocated certain responsibilities, so there were
different spheres now being covered.
Mr B Mnyandu (ANC) asked if there was any research directed towards cash in
transit heists, as well as credit card fraud
Ms Njobe stated that a new cash in transit vehicle was
available commercially in the market, and was in actual use. This vehicle had proved to be an effective
innovation. Credit card fraud was an
area that was focused on by information security.
Dr Sibisi stated that a difficult issue was identity theft, which linked to
credit card fraud. Credit Card fraud was
easier to locate because illegal activities could be traced.
Ms B Ngcobo (ANC) stated that the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) Bill had just
been passed, and asked whether CSIR had any particular comment on it.
Dr Sibisi replied that replied that the SKA was a massive device for gathering
and processing data, and when it was fully functional it would be able to gather
phenomenal amounts of data.
Ms Ngcobo asked how recent graduates would be able to benefit from the CSIR.
Ms Njobe replied that last year the CSIR had launched a path through which graduates
were accepted into the organisation through internships or studentships, which
meant the candidate would still study, but also worked
for the CSIR part-time. This was good
for creating work experience and preparing the candidate for the working
environment. The CSIR also offered
scholarships and bursaries.
The Chairperson stated that he wanted the CSIR to continue to monitor implemented
projects. He noted that he was impressed by the focus on the effect of their
projects on the second economy. The size of the CSIR was not, to his mind,
important but it was rather their focus that was important. The issue of rock falls, and other accidents
was serious, especially since Dr Sibisi had stated that there was equipment to
help alleviate these problems, but there was a lack of implementation. This
needed to be addressed.
The meeting was adjourned.
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