Sipho

South Africa: CSIR’s Capacity Building14 September 2005, FLC, Rocky Gap, MDBy Sipho Mtsweni: 

South Africa: CSIR’s Capacity Building 14 September 2005, FLC, Rocky Gap, MD By Sipho Mtsweni Excellence Relevance Innovation

Mandate: 

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 principals from the private or public sectors, and thereby to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the people of the Republic [of South Africa], and to perform any other functions that may be assigned to the CSIR by or under this Act." (Scientific Research Council Act 46 of 1988, amended by Act 71 of 1990) Established by Parliament (1945) as central scientific R&D institution for South Africa

Facts & Figures: 

Facts & Figures Six decades of excellence in science, research and innovation Operating revenue of R 938 million per year – close to 70% external income Largest public R&D institution in Africa Multi-disciplinary research teams for reliable, best technical solutions to complex problems for improving quality of life and national competitiveness Some 2 500 staff - top technical and scientific minds Major facilities in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Port Elizabeth and Durban, with representation in all provinces

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CSIR activities that qualify for Parliamentary Grant CSIR mandate CSIR mandate CSIR Operations Model

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CSIR operating units Defence, Peace, Safety and Security Built Environment Biosciences Material Science, Manufacturing and Advanced Beneficiation Natural Resources and the Natural Environment

Capacity Building(to strengthen our S&T base): 

Capacity Building (to strengthen our S&T base) Established IP & C for management of such Truimph VC & DTI’s funding body NTTC Technovent for spinout/start-ups Technifin for licensing Enterprise & TfD for community development projects Young researcher development program Encourage staff to improve qualifications, 23% of PGQ Help external institutions with IP policy, IP Mgt, IP audit, IP strategy & Commercialization of… R&D outcome office is considering all the above & that help from both internal & external organizations is always a great asset.

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National & Continental Activities Working in 24 African countries African regional focal point for World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO) Cooperation nationally with South African private sector companies, government departments and organisations, NGOs, SMME’s and tertiary education institutions DTI/TWIB – for empowering women in business DST/IF/NRF/Deloite –Internship in Tech Transfer NEPAD/CSIR – Biosciences Hub (SANBio) UCT/NRF/Mellon- IP Chair & Research Unit UP – Institute of Technological Innovation

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Copyright @ CSIR 2005 www.csir.co.za National & Continental Initiatives, cont. SARIMA – Capacity Building Course among others DST/NRF/IF – Launched the Patent Incentive Fund DTI/CSIR – VC’s fund Managers Internship program DST to launch an IP policy ARC – exchange, fellowship & bursary programs MRC/MIHR – The Africa programme for health & innovation Conclusion: In the absence of suitable graduates, partnering for training through customised internship programs & enrolling individuals in courses that leads to formal qualifications it is of paramount importance.

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THANK YOU