NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON INNOVATION PRESENTATION TO THE PARLIAMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. 1 NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON INNOVATION PRESENTATION TO THE PARLIAMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2. 2 MANDATE: 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

3. 3 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

4. 4 Advice: aimed at, mobilising innovation to improve SA�s international competitiveness improves quality life of all South Africans optimising performance of NSI, including women

5. 5 Type and levels of advice

6. 6 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

7. 7 Who is NACI? Meets 4 times per year for plenary sessions Has 5-members Executive committee Full-time NACI-secretariat

8. 8 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

9. 9 OECD REVIEW NACI, key in facilitating the visit by OECD team TO EVALUATE THE SA NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INNOVATION

10. 10 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

11. 11 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

12. 12 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

13. 13 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

14. 14 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

15. 15 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