Assessment of the Implementation of South Africa s National Research and Development Strategy and the Ten-Year Innovation Plan

Transcription

1 Assessment of the Implementation of South Africa s National Research and Development Strategy and the Ten-Year Innovation Plan International Conference on Scientific and Technological Innovation: National Experience and International Cooperation. Academy of Romania, Rome, Italy, 17 May 2012 Vuyani Lingela Chief Director: International Research, Department of Science and Technlogy, South Africa

2 Table of Contents Purpose of this presentation Data and methods used in this paper Results Conclusions 2

3 Purpose of this presentation 3

4 Preliminary assessment of whether South Africa is doing what it planned to do in the National Research and Development Strategy (NRDS) and the Ten-Year Innovation Plan (TYIP) Following Cabinet approval of South Africa s NRDS in 2002 and the (TYIP) in 2007, there is a growing need to assess the progress. The primary purpose of the NRDS is to deliver increased economic growth and improved quality of life (DST, 2002). The primary purpose of the TYIP (DST, 2007) is to help drive South Africa s transformation towards a knowledge-based economy, in which the production and dissemination of knowledge leads to economic benefits and enriches all fields of human endeavour. The purpose of the current study is to monitor whether South Africa is doing what the country planned to do in the NRDS and the TYIP. 4

5 Priority areas - South Africa s National Research and Development Strategy Scientific areas where there is an obvious geographical advantage. In the case of South Africa the following stand out. Astronomy Human palaeontology Biodiversity Antarctic research Scientific areas where there is an obvious knowledge advantage. Indigenous knowledge Technology for deep mining Diseases of poverty Microsatellite engineering HIV/AIDS vaccine development Encryption technology Fluorine technology 5

6 Priority areas - South Africa s National Research and Development Strategy The existing Centres and Networks of Excellence need to be strengthened considerably to create credible standing and human resource development in the following areas. Nanotechnology Bio informatics Water-borne diseases Light metal technology HIV/AIDS 6

7 Priority areas - Ten-Year Innovation Plan Farmer to pharma. Over the next decade South Africa must become a world leader in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Space science and technology. South Africa should become a key contributor to space science and technology, earth observation, communications, navigation and engineering. Energy security. South Africa must meet its medium-term energy supply requirements while innovating for the long term in clean coal technologies, nuclear energy, renewable energy, and hydrogen economy. Global change science. South Africa s geographic position enables us to play a leading role in climate change science. Human and social dynamics. South Africa should contribute to a greater global understanding of the shifting social dynamics, and the role of science in stimulating growth and development 7

8 Data and methods used in this paper 8

9 Preliminary assessment of whether South Africa is doing what it planned to do in the National Research and Development Strategy (NRDS) and the Ten-Year Innovation Plan (TYIP) Data sources Department of Science and Technology (2002/2003; 2003/2004; 2004/2005; 2005/2006; 2006/2007; 2008/2009; 2009/2010; 2010/2011). Annual Reports. Department of Science and Technology, Pretoria. Department of Science and Technology (2002). South Africa s National Research and Development Strategy, August The Government of the Republic of South Africa, Pretoria. Department of Science and Technology (2007). Ten-Year Innovation Plan for South Africa: Department of Science and Technology, Pretoria. InCitesTM, Thomson Reuters (2011). Report Created in Apr Data Processed in December 31, Data Source: Web of Science. InCitesTM, Thomson Reuters (2010). Report Created: 10 May Data Processed in Aug Data Source: Web of Science. Thomson Reuters (2012). Web of Science 7 editions. 9

10 Output and outcome indicators for the NRDS NRDS Priority Area Output and outcomes indicators Astronomy Astronomy & Astrophysics Biodiversity Biodiversity Human palaeontology Palaeontology Microsatellite engineering Engineering, Aerospace Nanotechnology Nanoscience & Nanotechnology 10

11 Output and outcome indicators for the TYIP TYIP Priority Area Energy security Farmer to pharma Global change science Human and social dynamics Space science and technology Output and outcomes indicators Energy & Fuel Pharmacology & Pharmacy Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences Environmental Sciences Social Sciences, General Space Science Engineering, Aerospace 11

12 Results 12

13 Amount of money transferred by the Department of Science and Technology in support of various research programs and projects Energy Biodiversity Global change science and technology Human and social development dynamics Astronomy and astropyhsics Biotechnology Emerging research areas Health innovation Space science 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 2002/ / / / / / / /

14 Percentage of South African publications produced before ( ) and during the NRDS ( ) and TYIP ( ) periods 100% Pre-NRDS & TYIP ( ) NRDS Period ( ) TYIP Period ( ) 80% 60% 40% 20% 22% 26% 27% 28% 30% 33% 35% 37% 41% 42% 20% 22% 28% 24% 29% 25% 24% 28% 26% 24% 57% 51% 45% 49% 41% 42% 41% 35% 33% 34% 53% 20% 26% 25% 20% 55% 0% Astronomy & Astrophysics Pharmacology & Pharmacy Engineering, Aerospace Environmental Sciences Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology Social Sciences, General Paleontology Energy & Fuel Biodiversity Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Total International Collaboration 14

15 Contribution of international collaboration 15

16 Number of South African publications produced with international collaboration as a percentage of South African publications produced between 1980 and 2011 Total publications % of publications with international collaboration 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2, % 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 16

17 Percentage of South African publications produced with international collaboration before ( ) and during the NRDS ( ) and TYIP ( ) periods 100% Pre-NRDS & TYIP ( ) NRDS Period ( ) TYIP Period ( ) 80% 29% 29% 34% 34% 38% 41% 44% 51% 54% 55% 56% 37% 60% 40% 20% 36% 36% 23% 48% 28% 38% 33% 33% 34% 30% 27% 27% 24% 22% 33% 28% 25% 26% 22% 19% 21% 22% 27% 36% 0% Engineering, Aerospace Astronomy & Astrophysics Pharmacology & Pharmacy Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology Paleontology Environmental Sciences Social Sciences, General Biodiversity Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Energy & Fuel Total International Collaboration 17

18 Average annual number of South African publications produced with international collaboration as a percentage of South African publications produced before ( ) and during the NRDS ( ) and TYIP ( ) periods Pre-NRDS & TYIP ( ) NRDS Period ( ) TYIP Period ( ) 200% 180% 160% 140% 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 32% 20% 34% 38% 35% 27% 39% 43% 16% 19% 12% 19% 43% 60% 29% 48% 40% 16% 50% 55% 48% 49% 27% 21% 59% 60% 68% 72% 34% 40% 78% 68% 50% 44% 40% 18% Energy & Fuel Engineering, Aerospace Social Sciences, General Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Environmental Sciences Pharmacology & Pharmacy Biodiversity Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences Paleontology Astronomy & Astrophysics Total International Collaboration 18

19 South African international partnerships that have produced the highest number of citations in selected subject areas between 2003 and % 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Argentina Armenia China Colombia Ghana Ireland Malaysia Mexico Namibia New Zealand Niger Portugal Russia South Korea Wales Czech Republic Denmark India Italy Spain Sweden Belgium Brazil Switzerland Japan Australia Canada Netherlands France England Germany USA 19

20 South African international partnerships that have produced the highest number of publications in selected subject areas between 2003 and % 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Chile Denmark Finland Ghana Malawi Malaysia New Zealand Norway Poland South Korea Wales Brazil China India Nigeria Russia Zimbabwe Belgium Italy Japan Switzerland Spain Sweden Australia Canada France Netherlands England Germany USA 20

21 Conclusions 21

22 Conclusions (1 of 3) Almost half of all publications produced by South Africans in 2011 involved international partnerships. The results suggest that the intensity of international collaboration in 11 subject areas examined in this paper is not a predictor of the total number of publications produced in each subject area. Although a high (78%) average annual number of astronomy & astrophysics publications were produced with international collaboration between 2008 and 2011, that period accounted for only 22% of papers during the study period ( ). On the other hand, the average annual number of energy & fuel publications was low (32%) between 2008 and 2011, that period accounted for 41% of papers during the study period ( ). 22

23 Conclusions (2 of 3) Out of 11 subject areas examined in this paper, South Africa produced the highest number of publications with Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Netherlands and USA in more than 8 subject areas during In the past 29 years, more than 40% of publications in biodiversity, energy & fuel, and nanoscience & nanotechnology were produced in the last 4 years. On the other hand, less than 30% of publications in astronomy & astrophysics, pharmacology & pharmacy, and aerospace engineering were produced. Out of all South African publications produced with international collaboration, there were more than 50% in biodiversity, energy & fuel, and nanoscience & nanotechnology. On the other hand, less than 35% of publications in astronomy & astrophysics, aerospace engineering, and pharmacology & pharmacy were produced. 23

24 Conclusions (3 of 3) Overall this paper suggests that in some subject areas, such as biodiversity, energy & fuel, and nanoscience & nanotechnology, policies are achieving the intended objectives. On the other hand, this paper suggests that in some subject areas, such as astronomy & astrophysics, pharmacology & pharmacy, and aerospace engineering, policies are not achieving the intended objectives. 24

25 Thank You Vuyani Lingela Chief Director: International Research Department of Science and Technology Postal Address: Private Bag X 894, Pretoria 0001, South Africa Tel: , Fax: , Vuyani.Lingela@dst.gov.za Address: Building 53, Meiring Naude Road, CSIR Campus, Pretoria 0184, South Africa 25