Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor on Thursday approved the reprioritisation of the Department of Science and Technology's (DST's) budget for 2010/11 to provide increased support for the development of skills required for the National Research and Development Strategy.

To that end, the DST has now allocated R255,4-million to the National Research Foundation, which was mandated to support and promote research at universities, through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary research facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology.

Of the overall funds, R100-million would be spent on human resources development initiatives, of which R42-million would be invested towards the expansion of honours bursaries, R11,2-million towards the expansion of postdoctoral fellowships and R10-million for the extension of bursary support to increase masters and doctoral graduation rates.

Also included under the human resources development component was R25-million in research support for women and young researchers and R11,8-million would be spent on improving the academic qualifications of academics and researchers.

A further R50-million of the overall funds would be spent on scientific equipment and another R50-million for emergency repairs and renewal of infrastructure and equipment at the national research facilities.

In addition, the DST has made R55,4-million available for the provision of broadband connectivity to rural universities, such as the University of Limpopo and the Walter Sisulu University, in the Eastern Cape, under the South African National Research Network.