The Department of Science and Technology reported on Tuesday that Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom had authorised the creation of five new Centres of Excellence (CoEs). The purpose of CoEs is to drive joint interdisciplinary research between research institutions and to develop high level skills in “priority research areas”.

“The new CoEs will contribute to South Africa’s knowledge-generation capacity, increase the number of world-class researchers and attract and retain research excellence,” said Hanekom. His decision takes the number of CoEs created since 2004 to 14.

CoEs head research in areas that are regarded as being of national interest. They are intended to speed up the provision of the necessary human resources and knowledge capacity. They also serve to make South African research more internationally competitive  and to stimulate research excellence and develop capacity.

Each of the new CoEs will be hosted by universities. They are: the mathematical and statistical sciences CoE (at the University of the Witwatersrand), the scientometrics – the measurement and analysis of scientific research – and science, technology and innovation policy CoE (Stellenbosch University), the food security CoE (shared by the Universities of the Western Cape and of Pretoria), the child development and livelihoods CoE (shared by the Universities of the Witwatersrand and of Kwazulu-Natal) and the mineral and energy resource analysis CoE (University of Johannesburg).

“After a thorough and comprehensive selection process that interrogated the capacity of applicant institutions and the research record of each proposed director, we are excited at the establishment of five additional CoEs,” affirmed National Research Foundation CEO Dr Albert van Jaarsveld. “Along with the existing CoEs, these five CoEs will ensure that relevant knowledge and necessary human capacity are developed in research areas that are of importance to the economic life of the country and sustained wellbeing of South Africans.”

The creation of the new CoEs also supports the National Development Plan, which proposes a significant expansion of the country’s science and technology system. The existing and new CoEs are training and will train the next generation of South African researchers, providing them with the expertise to develop a knowledge-based economy in the country.