Date: 02/09/2004
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: M Mangena: UNISA Africa Week Conference
ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, AT THE UNISA AFRICA WEEK CONFERENCE ON TRANSFORMATION IN THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SECTOR: CELEBRATION OF 10 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY, UNISA, Pretoria, 2 September 2004
Director of Ceremonies
University Management
Deans of Faculties and their Deputies
Heads of Departments
Academics and staff members
Students
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
"Towards Transforming Higher Learning for Liberation and Development" is and apt and fitting theme for an Africa Week Conference. As we celebrate ten years of democracy, we must utilise every opportunity to consider how far we have come in various sectors of our society, rather than use this as an excuse for self-congratulation. These celebrations are necessary steps to help us determine what remains to be achieved, not only in our country, but also our continent. In 1994 we set high goals for ourselves in an effort to transform our country into a free and open society, in which all citizens would enjoy equal opportunities for advancement. The past decade also saw Africans come together to set high goals for the development of the peoples of the continent through collective agreements and initiatives. This conference provides an ideal opportunity to collectively reflect on developments towards the achievement of our goals.
There is no doubt that science and technology are key drivers of economic growth. Therefore, national capability in science and technology has become an area of great concern for all countries worldwide. The South African government has demonstrated its commitment to the development of science and technology in a number of ways, most important among them being the creation of this ministry.
The deliberate exclusion of black people from participation and development in mainstream science and research resulted in a science and technology system that was totally skewed with respect to race and gender. This problem was exacerbated by considerably decreased government investment in science and technology caused by the downsizing of key scientific missions of defence and nuclear technologies in the run-up to 1994. The 1996 Science and Technology White Paper articulated government's vision for economic development and the improvement of the lives of South Africans through interventions in science and technology. The National Research and Development Strategy approved by Cabinet in 2002, was developed as a means of facilitating the implementation of the ideals articulated in the Science and Technology White Paper.
Our institutional framework for science and technology is now fully functional, and the set of relationships envisaged in the National System of Innovation are firmly in place. A set of key performance indicators has been developed for the science councils, which are the institutions that form part of the science vote. This is intended to assist in improving not only the performance of the science councils, but also our understanding of the challenges that need to be addressed as we continue to transform our society.
One of the successes of our interventions, through the KPI system, at the science councils is a change in the demographics of staff. An important facilitation instrument in this instance has been the success of internship programmes, and the Africa Institute of South Africa and the HSRC have done particularly well in this regard.
We still face numerous challenges, which are eloquently articulated in the National Research and Development Strategy. Pressing among these are the fragmentation and human resources issues in the Science, Engineering and Technology system, and private sector investment in research and development in South Africa. Notwithstanding the equal importance of the other two elements, in keeping with the theme of your conference, I would like to pay particular attention to the human resources issue.
Institutions of higher learning are an integral part of the National System of Innovation, (NSI). In fact, without the output of these institutions, the NSI becomes a very weak system. There is no doubt that appropriately-trained human resources are fundamental to the proper functioning of the NSI. But we are concerned that the output of higher education institutions, particularly in the SET fields, is still far off the mark if it is to produce meaningful changes to our country's economic performance. In many respects, the legacy of apartheid policies still impacts negatively on the availability of high-level skilled workforce.
As much as there is need to ensure that large numbers of our young people perform better in mathematics, science, and technology in school, there is an equally important requirement to popularise science and engineering careers among our youth in order to prepare them adequately for future challenges. You have a better chance of flow if the entire pipeline is properly engineered. The Department of Science and Technology has dedicated high level resources to this challenge, and currently spends upwards of R10 million annually on interventions in this area. We are working very closely with the Department of Education in improving the quality of input and quantity of output in mathematics and science at the beginning of the pipeline - the schools.
We also need to promote careers in the academic fields as first-choice careers for our young people. If we can achieve this, we would have executed a major coup in improving the performance of both higher education and R&D systems. The National Research Foundation (NRF) has played a seminal role in building the research capacity at historically Black institutions. Among others, the NRF/Royal Society Programme has made enormous contributions towards building this capacity. I had the privilege to see this for myself just about two weeks ago, when researchers from South Africa and the United Kingdom who worked under this initiative had their meeting in Pretoria. The confidence, enthusiasm and excitement I saw among our young black researchers and senior students attached to this programme, was an edifying experience. This has enkindled a new optimism about our ability to meet our targets of future knowledge producers.
This is achievement is, however, still a drop in the ocean, especially in the light of our national needs. No country, no matter how developed, can afford to sit back to self-congratulate in this regard. In South Africa we should be even more concerned, especially because of the growing trend of science professionals of all races, leaving the academic field soon after qualifying. There are a number of contributory factors towards this trend, one of which is time. To train a scientist takes a very long time; it takes even longer to develop one into a world-class scientist who can contribute towards developing new insights to the body of knowledge in a particular subject. We need to create interventions that would ensure that young people who have a passion for research are well supported. They have to be given opportunities that would lead to their growth and development as individuals, and as scientists and researchers. My department will soon be announcing new initiatives in this regard. These will lead to improved opportunities for mobility through the system. Young scientists and researchers will be able to find attractive career paths in the academic field much earlier in their working lives.
These interventions will complement the Centres of Excellence programme that I launched recently. The Centres of Excellence programme is aimed at addressing the need to increase the supply of science, engineering and technology human capital for our economy. It concentrates and strengthens existing centres of research excellence. It also provides an enabling environment for the pursuit of knowledge. Through this DST funded programme, the Higher Education sector would be able to generate a highly qualified human resource capacity. The production of post graduate researchers with opportunities for employment in academic settings will also be improved.
It is gratifying to note from recent studies by the National Advisory Council on Innovation and other entities, that in the higher education sector, student profiles have changed radically over the decade of our democracy. I am told that engineering degrees are over-subscribed in some universities. This is indeed pleasing and bodes well for the future. We need to build on this momentum. But we still need to do a great deal to ensure that staff profiles also change to reflect national demographics.
The Black Forum has an important role to play in facilitating our attainment of a critical mass of a new generation of scientists and researchers. You are the role models upon whom the youth are looking for guidance. I urge the forum to assist in finding solutions for producing and retaining sufficient numbers of black scientists in Science, Engineering and Technology professions within our academic institutions.
We have attempted to outline broad issues that are essential to the transformation agenda of the Science and Technology system. We hope this will spark debate on the state of our science and technology system.
I thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
2 September 2004
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: M Mangena: UNISA Africa Week Conference
ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, AT THE UNISA AFRICA WEEK CONFERENCE ON TRANSFORMATION IN THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SECTOR: CELEBRATION OF 10 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY, UNISA, Pretoria, 2 September 2004
Director of Ceremonies
University Management
Deans of Faculties and their Deputies
Heads of Departments
Academics and staff members
Students
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
"Towards Transforming Higher Learning for Liberation and Development" is and apt and fitting theme for an Africa Week Conference. As we celebrate ten years of democracy, we must utilise every opportunity to consider how far we have come in various sectors of our society, rather than use this as an excuse for self-congratulation. These celebrations are necessary steps to help us determine what remains to be achieved, not only in our country, but also our continent. In 1994 we set high goals for ourselves in an effort to transform our country into a free and open society, in which all citizens would enjoy equal opportunities for advancement. The past decade also saw Africans come together to set high goals for the development of the peoples of the continent through collective agreements and initiatives. This conference provides an ideal opportunity to collectively reflect on developments towards the achievement of our goals.
There is no doubt that science and technology are key drivers of economic growth. Therefore, national capability in science and technology has become an area of great concern for all countries worldwide. The South African government has demonstrated its commitment to the development of science and technology in a number of ways, most important among them being the creation of this ministry.
The deliberate exclusion of black people from participation and development in mainstream science and research resulted in a science and technology system that was totally skewed with respect to race and gender. This problem was exacerbated by considerably decreased government investment in science and technology caused by the downsizing of key scientific missions of defence and nuclear technologies in the run-up to 1994. The 1996 Science and Technology White Paper articulated government's vision for economic development and the improvement of the lives of South Africans through interventions in science and technology. The National Research and Development Strategy approved by Cabinet in 2002, was developed as a means of facilitating the implementation of the ideals articulated in the Science and Technology White Paper.
Our institutional framework for science and technology is now fully functional, and the set of relationships envisaged in the National System of Innovation are firmly in place. A set of key performance indicators has been developed for the science councils, which are the institutions that form part of the science vote. This is intended to assist in improving not only the performance of the science councils, but also our understanding of the challenges that need to be addressed as we continue to transform our society.
One of the successes of our interventions, through the KPI system, at the science councils is a change in the demographics of staff. An important facilitation instrument in this instance has been the success of internship programmes, and the Africa Institute of South Africa and the HSRC have done particularly well in this regard.
We still face numerous challenges, which are eloquently articulated in the National Research and Development Strategy. Pressing among these are the fragmentation and human resources issues in the Science, Engineering and Technology system, and private sector investment in research and development in South Africa. Notwithstanding the equal importance of the other two elements, in keeping with the theme of your conference, I would like to pay particular attention to the human resources issue.
Institutions of higher learning are an integral part of the National System of Innovation, (NSI). In fact, without the output of these institutions, the NSI becomes a very weak system. There is no doubt that appropriately-trained human resources are fundamental to the proper functioning of the NSI. But we are concerned that the output of higher education institutions, particularly in the SET fields, is still far off the mark if it is to produce meaningful changes to our country's economic performance. In many respects, the legacy of apartheid policies still impacts negatively on the availability of high-level skilled workforce.
As much as there is need to ensure that large numbers of our young people perform better in mathematics, science, and technology in school, there is an equally important requirement to popularise science and engineering careers among our youth in order to prepare them adequately for future challenges. You have a better chance of flow if the entire pipeline is properly engineered. The Department of Science and Technology has dedicated high level resources to this challenge, and currently spends upwards of R10 million annually on interventions in this area. We are working very closely with the Department of Education in improving the quality of input and quantity of output in mathematics and science at the beginning of the pipeline - the schools.
We also need to promote careers in the academic fields as first-choice careers for our young people. If we can achieve this, we would have executed a major coup in improving the performance of both higher education and R&D systems. The National Research Foundation (NRF) has played a seminal role in building the research capacity at historically Black institutions. Among others, the NRF/Royal Society Programme has made enormous contributions towards building this capacity. I had the privilege to see this for myself just about two weeks ago, when researchers from South Africa and the United Kingdom who worked under this initiative had their meeting in Pretoria. The confidence, enthusiasm and excitement I saw among our young black researchers and senior students attached to this programme, was an edifying experience. This has enkindled a new optimism about our ability to meet our targets of future knowledge producers.
This is achievement is, however, still a drop in the ocean, especially in the light of our national needs. No country, no matter how developed, can afford to sit back to self-congratulate in this regard. In South Africa we should be even more concerned, especially because of the growing trend of science professionals of all races, leaving the academic field soon after qualifying. There are a number of contributory factors towards this trend, one of which is time. To train a scientist takes a very long time; it takes even longer to develop one into a world-class scientist who can contribute towards developing new insights to the body of knowledge in a particular subject. We need to create interventions that would ensure that young people who have a passion for research are well supported. They have to be given opportunities that would lead to their growth and development as individuals, and as scientists and researchers. My department will soon be announcing new initiatives in this regard. These will lead to improved opportunities for mobility through the system. Young scientists and researchers will be able to find attractive career paths in the academic field much earlier in their working lives.
These interventions will complement the Centres of Excellence programme that I launched recently. The Centres of Excellence programme is aimed at addressing the need to increase the supply of science, engineering and technology human capital for our economy. It concentrates and strengthens existing centres of research excellence. It also provides an enabling environment for the pursuit of knowledge. Through this DST funded programme, the Higher Education sector would be able to generate a highly qualified human resource capacity. The production of post graduate researchers with opportunities for employment in academic settings will also be improved.
It is gratifying to note from recent studies by the National Advisory Council on Innovation and other entities, that in the higher education sector, student profiles have changed radically over the decade of our democracy. I am told that engineering degrees are over-subscribed in some universities. This is indeed pleasing and bodes well for the future. We need to build on this momentum. But we still need to do a great deal to ensure that staff profiles also change to reflect national demographics.
The Black Forum has an important role to play in facilitating our attainment of a critical mass of a new generation of scientists and researchers. You are the role models upon whom the youth are looking for guidance. I urge the forum to assist in finding solutions for producing and retaining sufficient numbers of black scientists in Science, Engineering and Technology professions within our academic institutions.
We have attempted to outline broad issues that are essential to the transformation agenda of the Science and Technology system. We hope this will spark debate on the state of our science and technology system.
I thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
2 September 2004
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