South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has reaffirmed government’s policy of funding scientific and other research. “We cannot even begin to assert the unparalleled importance of research in helping societies move on to a higher trajectory of development. Modernity is inconceivable without research and development,” he affirmed in his keynote address at the recent announcement of the establishment of new research chairs. “I wish once again to confirm government’s commitment to supporting your work all the way.”
The announcement of the chairs marks the latest phase in the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI). Motlanthe announced the creation of no fewer than 54 new such chairs. “Society looks up to you as internationally recognised leaders in your respective fields to strengthen and improve research as well as enhance the innovation capacity of universities to produce high- quality postgraduate students, research and intellectual outputs,” he told the successful candidates.
“[O]ur country still faces accumulated disabilities from our past,” he noted. “In view of these serious challenges, innovation in nurturing further development assumes particular importance. “Innovation will move the country to a higher level of development. “All disciplines must contribute to scientific enquiry, enlightenment and knowledge generation.
“These research chairs are special State-funded academic positions that are designed to recognise academic talent and achievement,” explained Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom. “More importantly, the chairs provide a platform from which scientific talent can realise its fullest potential, while support- ing research in areas of vital importance to South Africa and also fostering the next generation of academics.”
The country now has 150 research chairs, created by SARChI. To date, government has invested more than R1.1-billion in the programme. The creation of the latest chairs, he stated, was more evidence of government’s commit-ment to human capital development and the creation of a knowledge-based society.
“SARChI is a flexible strategic tool that has eveolved in interesting ways since its inception in 2006,” the Minister averred. “The research chairs initiative is already bearing fruit. . . . We recognise in South Africa that the ‘love of knowledge’ is key to meeting the aspirations and overcoming the challenges and problems of our young democracy. “We also recognise that, while the process of creating new knowledge is not a simple matter of opening a tap, there is much that the State can accomplish by means of action that is considered, creative and ambitious. . . . Thanks to our attention to human capital development, exciting discoveries are being announced by South Africans at an accelerating rate.”
He referred to the National Development Plan and specifically four objectives regarding higher education. These are: achieving, by 2030, more than 100 PhD graduates per million of the population; increasing by 100% the number of graduate and postgraduate scientists and increasing the number of African and women postgraduates, especially at doctoral level; achieving a demographic transformation of researchers in higher education and research institutions; and improving research coordination between tertiary institutions, research agencies and industry.