Vol 1 - Support Services Ufs Ac Za - University of the Free State

the South African Council for Scientific and In dustrialResearch, bought the intellectual propertyresulting from the research and attracted internationalinvestors. The University will further collectroyalties on successfully marketed products. Mostrecently, the University was awarded a R13.7 millionbiotechnology contract to conduct research intoprehistoric micro-organisms which live under extremeconditions. The contract was awarded to theUniversity by BioPAD, a South African biotechnologycompany that brokers part ner ships betweenresearchers, entre pre neurs, business, governmentand other stake holders to promote innovation andcreate sustainable biotechnology businesses.The DRD prioritised the efficiency of its researchinforma tion management system as a criticalrequirement to achieve its support systemsobjective. The UFS therefore joined the nationalResearch Information Management System initiativein 2007 and implementation of the new system isscheduled to take place during 2008.Associated with this support systems objec tive,the DRD cultivates loyalty and enthusiasm forresearch through the recognition of researchachieve ment at all levels. To this end the Universityhosts an annual recognition function where outstandingprogress and achievements are acknowledged and honoured, from post graduate levelthrough early career to esta blished researchers.Significant progress has also been made interms of the output dimension objective. Publicationoutputs alone have increased by more than 30%since 2004. Research Masters and Doctoral degreeshave also increased by almost 40% since 2004, witha total of 99 masters and 78 doctoral degrees beingconferred in 2007. Subsequently, our total subsidybearingoutputs increased to the extent that, by2006, the University was one of only five universitiesin the country to exceed the benchmark for totalresearch outputs set by the Minister of Education.In addition, a 2006 study 1 ranked the UFS in the top1% globally based on its accredited publications,together with only five other South Africanuniversities. Findings also indicated that the numberof UFS citations in clinical medicine and plant andanimal sciences positioned the University as aworld-class institution in these two disciplines.On balance, our research achievements since2003 demonstrate a dramatic improve ment, whichsignifies a promising evolution of our researchculture over the past five years. These changes aremostly the result of the enthusiasm, dedication andteamwork of our researchers and our researchadmin is trators. I myself and the DRD as a whole areproud of the research being conducted at thisUniversity and we will continue to work closely withall our academics and scholars to sustain andaccelerate our development towards a trulyresearch-led institution.1 Source: http://www.be.up.co.za/images/documents/BEatUP-news-APouris-HighEducation.pdf8