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14 September 2015 - NW3239

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Lotriet, Prof A to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

(1)What is the current status of the maintenance and upgrade of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) building in Pretoria; (2) Does the Pretoria HSRC building comply with the requirements set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993; if not why not; (3) Did her department request infrastructure funding from the National Treasury; if not; if so, what was the outcome?

Reply:

(1) The HSRC has a plan for the maintenance and upgrade of the building. Financial constraints, however, limit the capacity to effect the full-scale implementation of the plan. Attention is given to the most urgent needs on a priority basis.

(2) Yes, the HSRC is compliant with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

(3) Yes, funding submissions for infrastructure have been submitted via the Department of Science and Technology annually since 2009. None of these submissions have been successful.

 

 

14 September 2015 - NW3236

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Terblanche, Ms JF to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

(1)Are there measures that are put in place to protect the reputation of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in order to ensure that evidence-based output remains independent and authoritative in all spheres; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) What additional steps is the HSRC taking to preserve its autonomy

Reply:

(1) Yes. The HSRC’s approved Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan (2015/16, page 26) makes reference to the key risk of “undue donor/funder influence on the research agenda and pressure to secure income” as a key risk affecting its research programme.

The HSRC depends on a combination of government funding (through its Parliamentary Grant) and external income (in the research context, secured through competitive tender processes, contracts and grants). An over-dependence on a source of funding does carry the risk of potential influence by funders in terms of the issues addressed or not addressed through research, and the way in which research findings are presented.

The following measures are listed as mitigating the above-mentioned risk (ibid.):

  • “Engagement between the Board and/or executive team and DST, with a view to securing an additional increase in the parliamentary grant – specifically for innovative research;
  • Commitment to science prescripts, whereby the HSRC’s work is defined by the rules of science, rather than political allegiance;
  • Broadening the funding portfolio through a concerted effort by the executive team, with Business Development’s support towards expanding HSRC sources of funding to EU countries and possibly East Asia.”

 

(2) The HSRC has very clear mandated objectives as outlined in its founding legislation, the Human Sciences Research Council Act, Act 17 of 2008. These mandated objectives serve as an enabling framework but also as a source of reference when research opportunities and requests are considered.

When opportunities to undertake externally-funded research are considered, the conditions set by potential funders are considered before a decision is made to respond to that opportunity, or not. The HSRC’s legal department also provides a vetting service for research contracts and will help to safeguard the autonomy as well as intellectual property of the HSRC.

Governance structures of the HSRC benefit from the involvement of independent experts. This does not only refer to statutory structures such as the HSRC Board and its subcommittees, but also to committees such as the HSRC Research Ethics Committee and HSRC Press Board whose Chairpersons and several of the expert members are employed outside the HSRC. At the same time, internal members are also experts in their own right, adding value to discussions and review of submitted documents.

The HSRC places great value on the independent review of research outputs. Researchers are strongly encouraged to publish research in internationally recognised, peer reviewed journals. Other outputs, such as policy briefs and book publications, are also externally reviewed before they are published.

 

14 September 2015 - NW3234

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Terblanche, Ms JF to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

(1)What is the current situation with reference to the retention of human resources within the Human Sciences Research Council; (2) What attempts has she and her department made to ensure that (a) staff is adequately remunerated, (b) working conditions are improved and (c) policies are established to support and facilitate human capital development?”

Reply:

(1) There is currently a problem with staff retention, specifically at Executive level.

 

(2) a) The HSRC periodically undertakes a remunerative review, which

benchmarks salary packages with similar entities within the Science system and universities. The next exercise will be undertaken in 2016.

b) A climate survey, commissioned by the HSRC Board will be undertaken in the third quarter of the current financial year to assess the satisfaction of staff relative to remuneration and working conditions. Recommendations from this survey will inform the revision of any related policies.

c) A human resources strategy, accompanied by a number of recruitment, retention and talent management strategies is being developed.

8/3/1

07 September 2015 - NW3080

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Lotriet, Prof A to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

(a) How does (i) her department and (ii) entities reporting to her define red tape and (b) what (i) specific interventions and/or (ii) systems have been implemented to (aa) identify and (bb) reduce red tape in (aaa) her department and (bbb) the entities reporting to her?”

Reply:

(a) (i) The Department of Science and Technology defines “red tape” as any process or administrative requirement that hinders the effective operation and implementation of policies, programmes that seek to deliver on the mandate of the department.

(ii) The response regarding the definition of red tape by entities is presented below:

Entities

Definition of red tape

Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

Process that entails some restrictive processes or hindrance that have to be followed or complied with in the performance of an activity.

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Rules, processes and procedures that impose unnecessary delay, and inaction or cost to the supplier(s) and/or potential beneficiaries.

Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

Unnecessary bureaucratic practices which adds no value to desired outcomes, but are imposed on processes nonetheless.

National Research Foundation (NRF)

Additional administrative measure, over and above the established policies and procedures of the organisation that are implemented through legislated authorities.

South African National Space Agency (SANSA)

Unnecessary and cumbersome rules, regulations, requirements, processes or procedures that result in unacceptable and unnecessary delays in business processes and decision making.

Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)

Excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making.

(b) Response to the specific interventions and systems that have been implemented to identify and reduce red tape is provided below:

Entities/ Department

(i) Interventions

(ii) Systems

   

(aa) Identify

(bb) Reduce

(aa) Identify

(bb) Reduce

   

(aaa) Department

(bbb) Entities

Department of Science and Technology

Establishment of an Operations Committee to address operational matters.

Review of policies and procedures every two years (or as required) as part of continuous improvement or with the introduction of new/ legislative amendments.

Document adverse effects of policy implementation to inform future reviews and amendments. Development of standard operating procedures (as applicable) to maximise efficiencies.

   

Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

There are no specific interventions.

   

No systems to identify red tape.

No systems to reduce red tape.

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

There are no specific interventions.

   

Continually review processes to incorporate improvements and to align to new legislative requirements.

Developed systems and processes to maximise its efficiencies and effectiveness.

Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

There are no specific interventions.

   

Identify these through internal consultation and by working closely with the Internal and External Auditors and then determine what is required to adhere to in order to remain compliant.

No systems to reduce red tape.

National Research Foundation (NRF)

There are no specific interventions.

   

No systems to identify red tape.

No systems to reduce red tape.

South African National Space Agency (SANSA)

There are no specific interventions.

   

Identify through service level standards or turnaround time targets that are set for key processes.

Regularly review policies, procedures and systems with a view to continually assess their effectiveness.

Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)

-Materiality framework was amended to enhance decision making and execution of decisions.

-Delegation of authority was refined.

-Revision of Investment framework policy.

-Bi-monthly Exco meetings.

-Special board meetings to expedite decisions made.

-The operational team in the Supply Chain Management Unit has been expanded to meet business’ needs quicker and more efficient.

-Employee culture survey.

-Complaints review.

-Customer satisfaction surveys.

   

Operational inefficiencies are identified through inadequate turnaround times of approval and payment of projects and expenditure. It is also identified through employee engagement surveys and customer satisfaction surveys.

Investment management system has been designed and implemented.

14 August 2015 - NW2712

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Terblanche, Ms JF to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

Whether (a) she, (b) her Deputy Minister and (c) any officials in her department travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial year; if so, what was the (i) purpose of each specified visit and (ii) (aa) total cost and (bb) breakdown of such costs of each specified visit?

Reply:

 

(a) Minister: No trip to China undertaken.

(i) n/a.

(ii) (aa) n/a.

(ii) (bb) n/a.

(b) Deputy Minister: No trip to China undertaken.

(i) n/a.

(ii) (aa) n/a.

(ii) (bb) n/a.

(c) Officials:

Mr Daan du Toit: 21 to 23 May 2014.

(i) To participate in a bilateral meeting with Mr Xu, DDG MOST and the SKA Strategy and Business Development Committee Meeting 4, in China.

(ii) (aa) Total: R18 113.

(ii) (bb) R8 900 air ticket from Brussels and R9 213 accommodation.

Mr Isaac Maredi, Ms Sunita Kalan and Ms Punkah Mdaka: 22 to 26 September 2014.

(i) To participate in the science park development initiatives in China.

(ii) (aa) Total: R69 933.

(ii) (bb) R33 600 three air tickets, R15 333 travel & subsistence for three officials, R18 000 accommodation for 3 officials and R3 000 for shuttle transport to the airport for three officials.

Officials from the DST: Prof Yonah Seleti: 8 to 10 October 2014.

(i) To attend meetings of the International Group of Funding Agencies for Global Change Research (IGFA) and the Belmont Forum in China.

(ii) (aa) Total: R26 432.

(ii) (bb) R12 213 air ticket, R2 576 travel & subsistence, R11 400 accommodation and R243 for parking at the airport.

Official from the DST: Dr P Mjwara: 15 to 17 October 2014.

(i) To participate in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Board of Directors meeting in China.

(ii) (aa) Total: R53 659.

(ii) (bb) R49 939 air ticket and R3 720 accommodation.

Official from the DST: Mr Bruce Tshilamulele: 27 to 28 October 2014.

(i) To participate in the first Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) workshop on pharmaceutical innovation and development in China.

(ii) (aa) Total: R27 189.

(ii) (bb) R12 213 air ticket, R2 576 travel & subsistence, R11 400 accommodation and R1000 for shuttle transport to the airport.

Official from the DST: Dr Cordelia Sita and Ms Anita Mnisi: 7 to 9 November 2014.

(i) To participate in the BRICS Solid State Lighting (SSL) Working Group Meeting, this takes place every year in China around November.

(ii) (aa) Total: R53 950.

(ii) (bb) R41 050 two air-tickets and R12 900 accommodation.

06 July 2015 - NW2196

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Lotriet, Prof A to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

Whether her department is currently involved in a work exchange and/or employment agreement with the Republic of Cuba: if so, (a) What number of Cuban nationals (i) are currently employed and (ii) are due to be employed by her department, (b) What specific work roles are envisaged for the Cuban nationals, (c) what are the specific skills sets of each of the Cuban nationals (i) currently employed and (ii) due to be employed, (d) what are the details of the process followed to ensure that the same skill set was or is not available in the country and amongst South African citizens (e) what is the total cost of the (i) employment or (ii) prospective employment of such Cuban nationals?

Reply:

  1. No, there are no Cuban nationals currently employed by the Department of Science and Technology. However, there are scientific exchanges in specific research and development areas facilitated through the Bilateral Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement signed in 2001. Important collaborations in the past have focused on biotechnology and nanotechnology, with five related flagship projects implemented from 2005 to 2014, namely:
  • (a) Cholera vaccine development project, supported from 2005;
  • 1(b) Human monoclonal antibodies, supported from 2006;
  • (c)  Pre-clinical drug development, supported from 2006;
  • (d) the use of radio-labelled compounds in medical, biosciences and industrial research, with focus on radio-labelling cancer receptor targeting compounds, supported from 2007; and
  • (e)development of drug delivery systems, lateral flow-point-of-care diagnostic kits and biosensors based on nanoparticles, with focus on new therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals based on monoclonal antibodies, supported from 20072.
  •  

2.  For each of the above projects, there has been one principal researcher from each side, supported by teams of R&D staff in their organisations. The Cubans involved in the R&D projects are highly qualified scientists in their field of specialisation, most holding Phds in the respective science disciplines they conduct research on.

3.It should be stressed that the Cuban scientists were, however not employed in South Africa but remained based at their own institutions in Cuba.

29 June 2015 - NW2261

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Lotriet, Prof A to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

Whether (a) her department and (b) any entities reporting to her has paid out the remainder of any employee's contract before the contractually stipulated date of termination of the contract since the 2008-09 financial year up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (i) what amount has (aa) her department and (bb) entities reporting to her spent on each such payout, (ii) to whom were these payouts made and (iii) what were the reasons for the early termination of the contracts in each specified case?”

Reply:

(a) The department has not paid out the remainder of any employee’s contract before the contractually stipulated date of termination of the contract since the 2008-09 financial years.

(b) The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC); Technology Innovation Agency (TIA); Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); South African Space Agency (SANSA) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) did not pay out the remainder of any employee’s contract before the contractually stipulated date of termination since the 2008-09 financial year to date,only the National Research Foundation (NRF) had a payout.

(i) (aa) Not applicable.

    (bb) The NRF paid out the amount of R4,607,381.93 (R3,122,466.41 after tax).

(ii) The payout was made to Dr Gatsha Mazithulela, the previous vice-president of the National Research Infrastructure and National Research Facilities.

(iii) The decision for the early termination of Dr Mazithulela’s employment contract arose following a decision by the NRF Board to restructure the NRF business.