Date: 23/08/2004
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: M Mangena: Royal Society-NRF scientific meeting
ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY-NRF SCIENTIFIC MEETING, Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria, 23 August 2004
Director of Ceremonies, Dr Khotso Mokhele,
Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society, Dame Julia Higgins,
Secretary of the Royal Society, Sir Michael Atiyah,
Dr McLaren,
Project Leaders from the United Kingdom and South Africa,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
We have often stated that the first ingredient of a healthy science and technology system is investment. The other equally important ingredient is human resources. At this occasion today, we are bearing witness to the impact of these two ingredients in action. Investment by the NRF and Royal Society in people has produced a young cohort of scientists and aspiring researchers who will contribute to the development of science in South Africa, and build a new generation of much needed scientific expertise.
We have also often said that one of the key issues facing the government is the question of how we attract young people, particularly women and young black people, to careers in science, engineering and technology. This event showcases a programme that creates role models who will build a cultural tradition we are urgently and desperately in need of in our country. These role models are critical in changing the mind-sets of our communities, and developing a positive attitude towards Science. They are not only effective marketers of professions in science and technology, but they also contribute to the essential pool of innovators required to grow and make our economy more competitive.
This event is not a launch of new or proposed activities. Rather, it is an occasion to take stock of, and demonstrate the results and outcomes of this substantial investment by both the United Kingdom and South Africa over the past eight years, in one of the priority areas of our government. The Royal Society-NRF programme of collaborative research projects is one of the very successful bilateral science and technology programmes since our first democratic elections in 1994. The programme arose out of discussions during the Prime Ministerial visit of the Honourable Mr John Major to South Africa in September 1994. It is very fitting for this scientific meeting to take place in South Africa during a year when the country is celebrating its tenth year of democracy.
This year the country is also taking stock of the impact of the various policies and programmes, which were introduced in the past ten years of the democratic government, on the quality of life of its citizens. One of the key weaknesses identified in the Science and Technology R & D Strategy is the inadequate renewal and development of our human resources in these fields.
There are still far too few black and women researchers; hence the desperate need for the nurturing of a new generation of scientists. Experience has shown that increased participation of people from disadvantaged sectors of the community cannot be left to chance or market forces. Special programmes are required to promote the welfare of disadvantaged persons. This programme is a step in the right direction, and stands to contribute immensely to the country's attempts increase the number and quality of black male and female researchers and lecturers in Science and Technology in our universities.
The Black community does not only constitute the majority in our country, but it is also a critical human resource that has the capacity to influence and transform the systems of economic production and development to serve our country, region and continent.
Dr Bongi Ndimba, one of the young PhD graduates from the programme, gave an apt remark when he said: "I felt encouraged that the NRF was investing in me, and through the Royal Society I'm collaborating with people in the forefront - you can't ask for anything better than that." Such remarks certainly give us confidence that we are creating young scientists who are enthusiastic about their research careers in science and technology, and whose enthusiasm is certain to rub onto others and encourage them to follow in their footsteps. I am confident that through this and related programmes, we are creating new possibilities for South Africa.
The first phase of the Royal Society-NRF partnership was a programme of scientific exchanges between the United Kingdom and South Africa. These specifically aimed at assisting historically disadvantaged universities to develop expertise and excellence in selected areas of S&T. The fact that the programme specifically targeted the upgrading of historically disadvantaged universities ensured its alignment with our national objectives. The enduring effects of the atrocities of the apartheid policies and Bantu education rested in the allocation of resources to schools and tertiary institutions according to a racially based funding formula, and a total disregard for the abilities and needs of the Black population. At one point, a primary requirement for a Black student to study at a historically white tertiary institution was a Bachelor's degree from a black university. Many of the older generation of Black scientists, including the NRF President, Dr Khotso Mokhele, are the casualties of such a system. Moreover, the historically Black institutions were largely neglected, and simply seen as "feeder institutions" to the public administration needs of the 'homelands'. Often situated in remote locations, they rarely offered post-graduate degrees, and research was not encouraged. As a consequence, very few black students became exposed to an active research culture.
This programme has filled a niche in a very neglected area, and facilitated the development of the research capacity Black of people and women via collaborations with research groups in the United Kingdom. The long-term goal of the programme is to identify potential sites with a view to turning them into research centres of excellence. We commend and encourage such endeavours, because they nurture sustainable research and development in our country.
South Africa undertakes about 0, 5% of global research. Given the high rate of knowledge development, it is imperative to connect our institutions more effectively with global knowledge systems, expertise, and infrastructure in order to provide adequate training for our young scientists. One of the ways of encouraging our scientists to remain here is by building the infrastructure to connect them easily with their peers, and link them directly to the most advanced global research by tapping into international human and financial resources that address the needs of our researchers. As a country we can only benefit if our research output is internationally competitive.
The Royal Society-NRF programme supports one of the main pillars of the South African Research and Development Strategy. The first five years' review conducted in 2001 revealed that the Royal Society-NRF Programme had already produced a total of 112 Honours Degrees, 56 Masters Degrees and 23 PhDs. This is no mean feat, and we hope that the programme will continue to grow from strength to strength. The programme has significantly increased the numbers of our Black staff and students with British higher degrees and laboratory experience. In addition, the enhancement of their research capacity has led to an increase in their number of publications and participation in local and international conferences. These activities are creating distinct intellectual hubs in some of our universities.
Enhanced research capacity has provided the necessary foundation for the establishment of national centres of excellence at the participating historically Black universities, which was one of the central objectives of the programme. These new centres of excellence should strive towards drawing more young people into careers in scientific research to ensure the sustainability of those interests.
My department has made substantial investments towards some of the objectives of the Royal Society-NRF programme. Because of the limitations posed by the availability of resources, our success in tackling the major legacies of apartheid will largely depend on our ability to focus on our potential strengths, and the support we can get from our allies. Furthermore, in the global context within which we operate, no country, developed or developing, is able to tackle and meet the demands of expanding its science base alone, and we are no exception. Evidently, the Royal Society and NRF have created a successful model of international bilateral co-operation that could be emulated by other countries hoping to achieve similar goals and objectives.
In closing, may I commend and salute all the project leaders who have dedicated themselves to the cause of our young researchers. Your personal dedication and willingness to share your expertise has produced the outcomes we are all proud of, and created an enabling environment that has set our country on a path towards sustainable development. We are also mindful of the contributions of a number of hardworking women and men, from the NRF, Royal Society, and participating institutions who, from behind-the-scenes, supported these success stories. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the cause.
Dr Michelle Kelly, one of the project leaders from the United Kingdom, has claimed that her involvement in this programme was a 'life changing experience'. We look forward to hearing more about such life changing experiences in the future, and celebrating more such meetings.
Thank you for your attention.
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
23 August 2004
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: M Mangena: Royal Society-NRF scientific meeting
ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY-NRF SCIENTIFIC MEETING, Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria, 23 August 2004
Director of Ceremonies, Dr Khotso Mokhele,
Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society, Dame Julia Higgins,
Secretary of the Royal Society, Sir Michael Atiyah,
Dr McLaren,
Project Leaders from the United Kingdom and South Africa,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
We have often stated that the first ingredient of a healthy science and technology system is investment. The other equally important ingredient is human resources. At this occasion today, we are bearing witness to the impact of these two ingredients in action. Investment by the NRF and Royal Society in people has produced a young cohort of scientists and aspiring researchers who will contribute to the development of science in South Africa, and build a new generation of much needed scientific expertise.
We have also often said that one of the key issues facing the government is the question of how we attract young people, particularly women and young black people, to careers in science, engineering and technology. This event showcases a programme that creates role models who will build a cultural tradition we are urgently and desperately in need of in our country. These role models are critical in changing the mind-sets of our communities, and developing a positive attitude towards Science. They are not only effective marketers of professions in science and technology, but they also contribute to the essential pool of innovators required to grow and make our economy more competitive.
This event is not a launch of new or proposed activities. Rather, it is an occasion to take stock of, and demonstrate the results and outcomes of this substantial investment by both the United Kingdom and South Africa over the past eight years, in one of the priority areas of our government. The Royal Society-NRF programme of collaborative research projects is one of the very successful bilateral science and technology programmes since our first democratic elections in 1994. The programme arose out of discussions during the Prime Ministerial visit of the Honourable Mr John Major to South Africa in September 1994. It is very fitting for this scientific meeting to take place in South Africa during a year when the country is celebrating its tenth year of democracy.
This year the country is also taking stock of the impact of the various policies and programmes, which were introduced in the past ten years of the democratic government, on the quality of life of its citizens. One of the key weaknesses identified in the Science and Technology R & D Strategy is the inadequate renewal and development of our human resources in these fields.
There are still far too few black and women researchers; hence the desperate need for the nurturing of a new generation of scientists. Experience has shown that increased participation of people from disadvantaged sectors of the community cannot be left to chance or market forces. Special programmes are required to promote the welfare of disadvantaged persons. This programme is a step in the right direction, and stands to contribute immensely to the country's attempts increase the number and quality of black male and female researchers and lecturers in Science and Technology in our universities.
The Black community does not only constitute the majority in our country, but it is also a critical human resource that has the capacity to influence and transform the systems of economic production and development to serve our country, region and continent.
Dr Bongi Ndimba, one of the young PhD graduates from the programme, gave an apt remark when he said: "I felt encouraged that the NRF was investing in me, and through the Royal Society I'm collaborating with people in the forefront - you can't ask for anything better than that." Such remarks certainly give us confidence that we are creating young scientists who are enthusiastic about their research careers in science and technology, and whose enthusiasm is certain to rub onto others and encourage them to follow in their footsteps. I am confident that through this and related programmes, we are creating new possibilities for South Africa.
The first phase of the Royal Society-NRF partnership was a programme of scientific exchanges between the United Kingdom and South Africa. These specifically aimed at assisting historically disadvantaged universities to develop expertise and excellence in selected areas of S&T. The fact that the programme specifically targeted the upgrading of historically disadvantaged universities ensured its alignment with our national objectives. The enduring effects of the atrocities of the apartheid policies and Bantu education rested in the allocation of resources to schools and tertiary institutions according to a racially based funding formula, and a total disregard for the abilities and needs of the Black population. At one point, a primary requirement for a Black student to study at a historically white tertiary institution was a Bachelor's degree from a black university. Many of the older generation of Black scientists, including the NRF President, Dr Khotso Mokhele, are the casualties of such a system. Moreover, the historically Black institutions were largely neglected, and simply seen as "feeder institutions" to the public administration needs of the 'homelands'. Often situated in remote locations, they rarely offered post-graduate degrees, and research was not encouraged. As a consequence, very few black students became exposed to an active research culture.
This programme has filled a niche in a very neglected area, and facilitated the development of the research capacity Black of people and women via collaborations with research groups in the United Kingdom. The long-term goal of the programme is to identify potential sites with a view to turning them into research centres of excellence. We commend and encourage such endeavours, because they nurture sustainable research and development in our country.
South Africa undertakes about 0, 5% of global research. Given the high rate of knowledge development, it is imperative to connect our institutions more effectively with global knowledge systems, expertise, and infrastructure in order to provide adequate training for our young scientists. One of the ways of encouraging our scientists to remain here is by building the infrastructure to connect them easily with their peers, and link them directly to the most advanced global research by tapping into international human and financial resources that address the needs of our researchers. As a country we can only benefit if our research output is internationally competitive.
The Royal Society-NRF programme supports one of the main pillars of the South African Research and Development Strategy. The first five years' review conducted in 2001 revealed that the Royal Society-NRF Programme had already produced a total of 112 Honours Degrees, 56 Masters Degrees and 23 PhDs. This is no mean feat, and we hope that the programme will continue to grow from strength to strength. The programme has significantly increased the numbers of our Black staff and students with British higher degrees and laboratory experience. In addition, the enhancement of their research capacity has led to an increase in their number of publications and participation in local and international conferences. These activities are creating distinct intellectual hubs in some of our universities.
Enhanced research capacity has provided the necessary foundation for the establishment of national centres of excellence at the participating historically Black universities, which was one of the central objectives of the programme. These new centres of excellence should strive towards drawing more young people into careers in scientific research to ensure the sustainability of those interests.
My department has made substantial investments towards some of the objectives of the Royal Society-NRF programme. Because of the limitations posed by the availability of resources, our success in tackling the major legacies of apartheid will largely depend on our ability to focus on our potential strengths, and the support we can get from our allies. Furthermore, in the global context within which we operate, no country, developed or developing, is able to tackle and meet the demands of expanding its science base alone, and we are no exception. Evidently, the Royal Society and NRF have created a successful model of international bilateral co-operation that could be emulated by other countries hoping to achieve similar goals and objectives.
In closing, may I commend and salute all the project leaders who have dedicated themselves to the cause of our young researchers. Your personal dedication and willingness to share your expertise has produced the outcomes we are all proud of, and created an enabling environment that has set our country on a path towards sustainable development. We are also mindful of the contributions of a number of hardworking women and men, from the NRF, Royal Society, and participating institutions who, from behind-the-scenes, supported these success stories. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the cause.
Dr Michelle Kelly, one of the project leaders from the United Kingdom, has claimed that her involvement in this programme was a 'life changing experience'. We look forward to hearing more about such life changing experiences in the future, and celebrating more such meetings.
Thank you for your attention.
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
23 August 2004
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