Read the full Annual Report in PDF format - CSIR

contribution to the pursuit of scientifi c
and technological solutions to meet our
nation’s challenges is impressive.
In the past fi nancial year, the
Department of Science and Technology
(DST) has focused on four key areas:
• Creating a strong and responsive
institutional framework to support
the creation of a vibrant national
system of innovation;
• Supporting fundamental research
and development in all disciplines
while also proactively responding
to new opportunities;
• Developing our human resources
and using these skills to contribute
to economic growth and socioeconomic
change;
• Using our geographic advantage
and international partnerships to
build on our local strengths while
maximising African and global
collaboration.
These areas fi nd further expression and
impetus in the objectives and focus
areas contained in the DST’s ten-year
Innovation Plan (2008-2018). I am
pleased to observe that the CSIR is
strengthening its partnerships with
universities, public sector entities and
industry researchers on all the grand
challenge areas of the Innovation Plan.
Government has prioritised twelve
outcomes that we hope will help to
mobilise all sections of society. Science,
technology and innovation have a vital
contribution to make to the attainment
of all of these outcomes.
The CSIR’s work has relevance to
high-priority national goals such as
speeding up growth and transforming
the economy to create decent work
and sustainable livelihoods; building
economic and social infrastructure;
strengthening the skills and human
resource base; and advancing
sustainable resource management and
use.
I know that the CSIR’s work supports
many of the other priority outcomes
that guide the current government.
This includes the development of
planning tools for municipalities,
such as the Toolkit for Integrated
Planning, and various information and
communications technology-based
projects that support enhanced service
delivery such as the Wireless Mesh
Networking project.
The DST, primarily through the CSIR,
also has a key role to play in the
2010 Industrial Policy Action Plan
(IPAP). We have included in the current
IPAP a focus on R&D-led industrial
development.
On an ongoing basis, the IPAP will be
improved and refi ned and it is vital that
we strengthen opportunities for R&Dled
industrial development across all
the focus areas of the CSIR, from the
biosciences to ICTs.
I congratulate the CSIR on its sterling
work and am pleased to see it
responding to my challenge posed
during the recent CSIR Real and
Relevant conference: for it to play
a more strategic and infl uential role
in R&D in South Africa; and to think
beyond individual projects – looking
at how to play a more catalytic role in
the development of industry sectors that
will constitute a strong and vibrant 21st
century South African economy. These
industry sectors include advanced
metals such as titanium; advanced
manufacturing technologies such as
laser; and support to state-owned
enterprises.
I would like to thank the CSIR Board
and the executive team for their
continued support.
Mrs Naledi Pandor
3 MINISTER’S MESSAGE