NACI Annual Report 2011/12 - Enhancing South Africa's National Innovation System

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2. Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology National Advisory Council on InnovationAnnual Report 2011/12 Dr Steve Lennon Chairperson of Council 17 October 2012

3. PresentationOutline 1. Introduction 1.1 NACI’s Mandate 1.2 Context of NACI’s Work 2. NACI Council Overview 2.1 Management and Committee Structure 2.2 NACI Key Outputs 2.2.1 Workshops and Events 2.2.2 Research Projects Completed 2.2.3 Publications Finalised 2.2.4 Policy Advice Generated 2.2.5 NACI Highlights 2.3 Commentary on the state of the NSI 3. NACI Resources 3.1 NACI Secretariat 3.2 Financial Report 4. Way Forward

4. 1. INTRODUCTION

5. Introduction NACI’S Mandate NACI ACT (Act No. 55 of 1997): NACI shall advise the Minister of Science and Technology, and through the Minister the Cabinet, on the role and contribution of science, mathematics, innovation and technology, including indigenous technologies, in promoting and achieving national objectives, namely to; • improve and sustain the quality of life of all South Africans, • develop human resources for science and technology, • build the economy, and • strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the international sphere.

6. 2. NACI COUNCIL OVERVIEW

7. Minister National Advisory Committees: - NBAC - SET4W - IRG -INNO4DEV -NACI SKILLS Council Executive Committee Secretariat ST Indicators/Policy studies/Policy Development/Admin Support NACI Council Overview 2.1. Management and Committee Structure

8. NACI Council Members

9. NACI Key Outputs 2.2.1 Overview of NACI Workshops and Events – 2011/12

10. NACI Key Outputs… (Cont) 2.2.2 Research Projects Completed

11. NACI Key Outputs (Cont…) 2.2.3 Publications Finalised

12. NACI Key Outputs (Cont…) 2.2.4 Summary of Policy Advice Generated – 2011/12

13. NACI Key Outputs (Cont…) Policy Advice Generated – 2011/12 (Cont…)

14. NACI Key Outputs… (Cont) • 2.2.5 NACI Highlights • Completed the SET Gender Policy Framework • Published the South African Science and Technology Indicators 2010 booklet • NACI continued focus on NSI performance: • NACI’s Response to: • National Development Plan • DST’s Ministerial Review Report

15. Commentary on the state of the NSI (Cont…) Inputs Higher Education SET enrolments and graduations (2000-2010)

16. Commentary on the state of the NSI (Cont…) Inputs R&D Expenditure and R&D as a percentage of GDP (1991-2009)

17. Commentary on the state of the NSI (Cont…) Outputs SA publications and world share (1995-2010)

18. Commentary on the state of the NSI (Cont…) Outputs SA patents & world share by USPTO (1995-2010)

19. Commentary on the state of the NSI (Cont…) Impact SA Technology Balance of Payments(2000-2009)

20. Commentary on the state of the NSI (Cont…) Impact High tech manufacturing Exports and Imports (2005-2010)

21. Commentary on the state of the NSI (Cont…) Summary • Overall, the South African NSI has shown good record on measures of SET enrolments and graduations • However some weaknesses in the system persist with regard to: • A low and declining R&D intensity (R&D as a percentage of GDP) • Declining world share of patents • Heavy reliance on imported knowledge and products

22. Key Issues to Highlight • The education value chain needs urgent attention, from basic education, Further Education and Training (FET) colleges and technical high schools, through to higher education and beyond. • Better co-ordination across government departments, associated structures and institutions is essential. A single view of the NSI, outlining the current status and future prospects, is essential to optimally position for a globally competitive economy • Continued public and private investment in the NSI, from expenditure on R&D, to venture capital allocations and flagship projects, is necessary to build on the well-established base. South Africa’s successful bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is an excellent example of how big-science projects can be approached.

23. 3. NACI RESOURCES

24. NACI Resources 3.1 NACI Secretariat

25. NACI Resources… (Cont…) 3.2 Financial Report Approved drawings Actual Expenditure Forecast Expenditure

26. 4. WAY FORWARD

27. Way Forward • Recent reviews of NACI (and the NSI) highlighted challenges facing NACI in its structure and mode of operation: • NACI’s mandate was hamstrung by the fact that it reported to the DST and thus had no structural location that would afford it the authority needed for effective coordination of a national innovation system, •  NACI has been effectively constrained to “advise” only in the limited NSI domains in which the DST can operate. •  “In order for NACI to be effective, it needs a strong, efficient and effective Secretariat with substantial professional, technical and analytical capability (beyond mere administrative competence)” (OECD 2007). • Secretariat is now a lot stronger and the CEO issue has been addressed in the S&T General Laws Amendment Act 2011 • Proposed several new ways in which NACI should be structured and conduct its business • Development of a National Innovation Framework • Adoption of a Project Team Approach to conduct NACI business • Development of professional, technical and analytical skills within the Secretariat • Ministerial task team findings • All of the above will inform NACI’s future role and NACI is working with the Minister and DST in defining this future

28. Way Forward Projects to be implemented during 2012/13 financial year: • Development of a National Innovation Framework • Monitoring, Evaluation and Indicators • Strengthening Skills in Mathematics, Science and Technology • Infrastructure for Research and Innovation • Innovation for Economic Development and Social Upliftment • Bioeconomy Policies and Strategies • Gender Mainstreaming

29. THANK YOU • Outgoing Minister Naledi Pandor • Minister Derek Hanekom • S&T Portfolio Committee • Department of Science and Technology • Director General • NACI Councilors • NACI Secretariat • Krish Bharuth Ram and Kelebogile Dilotsotlhe