CUT Annual Report 2008

6
• Strategy 6: Enhancing Science,
Engineering and Technology (SET)
The CUT stood at 43% SET in 2007,
but is now at 48%, which is beyond
the target; Through the South African
Technology Network (SATN), a consortium
of universities of technology (UoTs), a
performance indicators project has been
launched; Presentations to the Department
of Education (DoE) were made in November
2008, showing that there is a great need for
Peer Group Educator (PGE) programmes in the
country and at UoTs; Business plans for each
of the four niche areas were developed and
additional funding for their implementation will be
made available in the 2009 budget.
• Strategy 7: Ensuring the supply of quality Science,
Engineering and Technology enrolments
In helping to increase the number of SET-qualifying
matriculants in the Free State (through a partnership
with the Free State DoE), the following is worth
mentioning:
Meetings culminating in a workshop on 21 July
with the FSDoE have led to the identification of
four areas of intervention; Funding proposals have
been prepared on 1) Remodelling and expanding
the Saturday and Winter School programmes;
2) Providing some hands-on teacher support
programmes for three disadvantaged schools; 3)
Providing a teacher enhancement programme in
curriculum and laboratory techniques; 4) Training
in human resources for the department’s senior
officials.
• Strategy 8: Vocational pedagogy as a possible
research niche or area of scholarship
There seems to be a lack of knowledge of a
vocational pedagogic approach to teaching for
the world of work as it pertains to South Africa
and the UoT approach to Work-Integrated
Learning; this also relates to the learnercentred
approach at UoTs for learners who
need competencies for the world of work;
funds for this research project will be set
aside in 2009.
• Strategy 9: Creating a critical mass in research and
teaching
In establishing a critical mass of senior professors in
a selected number of research and teaching areas, six
new professorships in five fields have been created and
budgeted for in 2009; the recruitment and appointment
processes will be completed in 2009.
A R1 million contingency fund was set aside to create
a strategic fund for these scientists/professors, their
laboratories and postgraduate students; some vacant
posts will be used to provide for supporting researchers,
postgraduate students and post-docs.
In enhancing the current research thrusts and
niche areas through partnerships and new staff, the
following can be noted: Partnerships developed with
the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) in
the field of software development (USA, Mexico and
India also involved); Conceptual paper produced on
local and regional innovation; Department of Science
and Technology (DST), Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI), Industrial Development Corporation
(IDC), Free State Development Corporation (FDC),
provincial Department of Tourism, Environmental and
Economic Affairs (DTEEA) and Free State Provincial
Government (FSPG) becoming major supporters of
this initiative; Funding of R500 000 being negotiated
with the DST; Partnership has emerged with BioPAD
on the Biotechnology Thrust; Proposals on the CUT’s
Educational Support programme are ready for delivery
in 2009.
• Strategy 10: Enhancing technology-oriented research
and innovation
In developing modules with a technology and
innovation focus, plans are afoot to develop a core
curriculum module with entrepreneurship, technology
and innovation, industrial psychology and project
management as core components; this will be approved
in 2009 and implemented in 2010.
In an attempt to enhance technology focus and establish
links between academic products and business/industry,
plans are afoot to establish a commercialisation arm
(a trust and a Section 21 company) to cater for our
staff and student innovations, the incubation of Small,
Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and spin-off
companies; to be approved by Council in March 2009.