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The Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology today heard presentations from the Department of Science and Technology’s entities, namely the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), on their annual performance plans.

After the presentations, the Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Lindiwe Maseko, said: “It must be noted that these entities are operating within the frameworks set out by government and must be commended for the introspection with which they undertook to improve their performance for this coming year as indicated in their plans.

“Notwithstanding the challenges that the country is facing with financial resources, all entities are committed to advancing research and development across all sectors. Of note is that the support for doctoral graduates supported by NRF has increased by 80%. NRF invested R409m in researchers for the 2015/16 year. Likewise CSIR has supported 53 PhD graduates and plans to employ an additional 40 to 50 PhD researchers.

“Clean audits should be the norm for all agencies and government departments. TIA has shown that it is possible to use all funding to the maximum, as it has no rollover of funds from the previous year. Of note is that in capacitating emerging vendors, provided that all documents are provided, payments are made within 3 days. This is to be commended.

“The Committee urges the entities to do more work in collaboration with other government departments and entities to ensure that there is no duplication, and that the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality is addressed.

“The entities must do more in profiling the work that they do and to ensure that their stakeholder engagements include going out to the communities, especially rural areas, therefore taking science and technology to greater heights.”

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology