NACI Symposium: Launch of the 2017 South African STI Indicators Report
NACI Symposium took place under the theme: Strengthening of the Local Innovation Systems for Achievement of the National Objectives.
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South African STI Indicators Booklet 2016
Foreword by Prof Cheryl de la Rey (NACI Chairperson)
On behalf of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), I am delighted to present the annual report on the 2016 South African Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Indicators. This publication is part of our contribution to building the monitoring, evaluation and learning capability necessary for assessing the state of the National System of Innovation (NSI).
The 2016 STI indicators report is based on the analysis of NSI performance during the period between 1996 and 2016. Coincidentally, the government is leading a process of reviewing the current 1996 White Paper on Science and Technology and developing the new White Paper on STI. Therefore, the 2016 STI indicators report can provide necessary input into the current policy development process.
The 2016 STI indicators report identifies areas of progress but also points to the lack of progress in certain areas of the NSI. First, the NSI human capital pipeline remains constrained. The percentage of matric learners who passed mathematics and physical science with at least 50% remains low. The proportion of matric female learners passing mathematics and physics with at least 60% has been declining from 2008 to 2016. Unsurprisingly then, the undergraduate percentage of SET enrolment has remained stagnant between 2005 (29.4%) and 2015 (29.7%).
Notwithstanding, at the postgraduate level, the proportion of science engineering and technology (SET) enrolment as a percentage of total student enrolments has increased between 2005 and 2015.
Second, there has been notable progress in the expansion and transformation of research capacity. The percentage of female researchers (full-time equivalent) increased from 2001/02 (38.4%) to 2014/15 (44.1%). The proportion of female academic staff with doctoral degrees increased between 2005 (30.4%) and 2014 (39.1%) and the proportion of black (African, Coloured and Indian) female academic staff with doctorates also increased albeit slightly.
Third, the international benchmarking of mobile cellular subscriptions indicates that South Africa is doing well in diffusing ICT access through mobile cellular devices per 100 people. This is an important step if South Africa seize the opportunities and benefits of digitisation and the fourth industrial revolution or new production revolution.
Fourth, the R&D intensity or business expenditure on R&D in the agricultural sector increased from 0.29% in 2003/04 to 0.66% in 2014/15. This is welcomed given the declining R&D intensity in manufacturing and other key industrial sectors on the one hand; and the importance of strengthening research and innovation related to food security on the other hand.
Fifth, there has been notable progress in knowledge generation. South Africa’s world share of publications increased from 0.39% in 1996 to 0.69% in 2015.
On behalf of the NACI Council and Secretariat, we sincerely hope that all NSI stakeholders (including policymakers, the private sector, and nongovernment organisations), will find this STI indicators report informative and useful.
We especially hope that the data will serve as a source of acknowledgment for the work done in the areas where South Africa has shown progress and where we have not, it will inspire us all to focus our efforts on addressing the challenges.
Prof. Cheryl de la Rey
NACI Chairperson
Symposium on STI Indicators for Sustainable and Inclusive Socio-economic Development – where are we?
September 28 @ 07:00 – 13:30, The Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria
NACI invites you to the Symposium under the theme: the role of science, technology and innovation indicators in monitoring South Africa`s inclusive socio-economic development.
The National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) invites you to the Symposium under the theme: the role of science, technology and innovation indicators in monitoring South Africa`s inclusive socio-economic development.
The event will include the launch of the 2016 South African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators report and the National Science, Technology and Innovation Information Portal (NSTIIP). The findings from this annual report, which provides facts and figures about the performance of South Africa’s National System of Innovation (NSI), provides a basis to facilitate dialogue on topical issues on science, technology and innovation (STI) policy area. This Symposium is expected to attract high-level stakeholders from government, business sector, civil society, government agencies and higher education institutions.
As per the attached draft program, a panel discussion will specifically focus on the results of the STI indicators report and the implications from the perspective of government, higher education and the business sector. More perspectives will be shared through dialogue with the delegates about how the NSI has progressed from conceptualisation of 1996 White Paper of Science and Technology, especially in terms of inclusive socio-economic development.
The NSTIIP, which will be launched during this Symposium, is an open access web-based platform that functions as an interactive central repository of useful STI data and information within the NSI.
If you have any questions, please contact the NACI Secretariat at 012 844 0953.
click here for registration
3rd Meeting of the Global Forum of National Advisory Councils
The third Meeting of the Global Forum of National Advisory Councils will be hosted by the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The meeting will be held on 5-6 December 2017 at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC) in Tshwane/Pretoria, South Africa. This two-day meeting will be held back-to-back with the Science Forum South Africa 2017; also scheduled to take place at the CSIR International Convention Centre on 7-8 December 2017.
To RSVP visit www.naci.org.za/nacs
About the Forum
The Global Forum of National Advisory Councils is a meeting of the top officials of Councils or equivalent institutions that provide strategic advice on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to the highest public and private level in their countries of origin. The forum aims to serve as a platform for Councils to share best practices and seek strategies for guiding national STI policy. By identifying areas of common interest, the Forum also provides opportunities to enhance the advisory capacity of Councils through collaboration.