150 likes | 162 Views
NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON INNOVATION PRESENTATION TO THE PARLIAMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. 19 FEBRUARY 2008.
E N D
NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON INNOVATION PRESENTATION TO THE PARLIAMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 19 FEBRUARY 2008
The statutory mandate of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) is to provide Minister of Science and Technology with advice pertaining to the National System of Innovation MANDATE:
Advice: must, • enhance the Minister’s decision-making capabilities • be relevant and pro-active • be evidence-based AND aimed at, • positioning S&T and innovation as the key drivers for economic growth
Advice: aimed at, • mobilising innovation to improve SA’s international competitiveness • improves quality life of all South Africans • optimising performance of NSI, including women
Type and levels of advice Quick response advice expertise, councilors, networks, internet, etc Researched advice commissioned research MINISTER OF Science & Technology Beyond-the-horizon advice think-tanks, future studies Briefings combination of above Annual Advice combination of above
Who is NACI? • The MEMBERS, including the chairperson, all serve in PART-TIME capacities • Two members, namely DG: DST and a representative of DTI are ex-officio government officials • Members have a broad expertise and experience in all spheres of the scientific, technological and innovation disciplines
Who is NACI? • Meets 4 times per year for plenary sessions • Has 5-members Executive committee • Full-time NACI-secretariat
KEY HIGHLIGHTS IN THE PAST YEAR • NACI participated in the OECD country review of the South African NSI by producing the background report • Policy on gender and race equity in SET • Launch of the National Biotechnology Advisory Committee • Advice on physical infrastructure for S&T in South Africa
OECD REVIEW NACI, key in facilitating the visit by OECD team TO EVALUATE THE SA NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INNOVATION Advice on implementation on recommendation: 2008 NACI produces a BACKGROUND REPORT on NSI • Competitive overview of: • the economy • policies & structure of the NSI • financial and human capital inputs to the NSI • performance of the NSI • Strengths & weaknesses • Uniquely South African issues
RACE & GENDER EQUITY POLICY FRAMEWORK A SET4W OUTPUT (10 person NACI standing committee) A race & gender equity policy framework within which institutions on the South African NSI can implement effective measures for ensuring that South Africans women participate fully in, and benefit from, innovative SET research, the production of SET products & the provision of SET services growing innovation and R&D for competitiveness + Contributes significantly to social development
LAUNCH OF THE BIOTECHNOLGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (NBAC) From National Biotechnology Strategy (2001): • NBAC – to advise the Minister of Science and Technology on strategic development of biotechnology in South Africa KEY FUNCTIONS OF NBAC: • provide strategic advice and interpretation in the general development of the South African biotechnology sector • monitoring and advising on issues pertaining to biotechnology
ADVICE ON PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR S&T IN SOUTH AFRICAN Physical Infrastructure: a combination of all the facilities required to provide the basis for education or research in a nation Advice • Priority given to infrastructure that • maximises benefit to as many missions as possible • Is under threat if not given immediate attention • Has the potential to facilitate foreign direct investment, including in R&D BASIS FOR DST’s long term S&T infrastructure plan
Other Advice … • Development of a profile of Best Practice in the NSI: • Governance • Performance Monitoring • Technology Transfer • The role and Structure of NACI • Role • Members • Link between NACI & DST • Secretariat • NACI act
INTERNATIONAL LIAISON Approach towards international liaison: • International peer-evaluation of final reports • Briefing of foreign delegations & fact-finding missions • Participation in international conferences • NACI fact-finding missions to counterparts abroad
OUTLOOK FOR 2007/2008 • NACI will continue to provide relevant, pro-active and evidence-based advice to the Minister of Science & Technology • Work in progress will be completed, and new studies are: • Projects following from the OECD • Review of the state of science and technology policy interaction in Africa and their implications • Regular reporting on the state of the NSI • South African system of providing science advice to government