CUT Annual Report 2008

Research and
Development
7A major initiative in the CUT’s research
positioning is its support of the development
and promotion of research as a core activity of
the university.
A fundamental approach to research at the CUT is
directed at the development of a sustained, engaged
and responsive research culture. Four activities are
associated with the development of research:
• Firstly, a research culture driven by an approved
Research and Development Plan (the idea of a
stimulated research heartland);
• Secondly, the development of staff as researchers
and the appointment of competent researchers
(the advantage of a critical mass);
• Thirdly, the training of postgraduate students as
future researchers (transformation of the research
environment);
• Fourthly, the conceptualisation of a research framework
that includes the pillars of discovery (basic
research and innovation) and integration (applied
research, technology transfer and commercialisation)
(transformation of practices).
All these activities are informed by the National Plan on
Higher Education (NPHE, 2001), national science and
innovation strategies, and the CUT’s corporate strategic
initiatives.
A research plan to drive research
development
To support the development of research at the CUT, a
Research and Development Plan was approved for 2005-
2010. The plan’s overarching strategy is to (a) develop
a sustained research culture, (b) improve research
outputs, and (c) develop strategic research partners and
programmes.
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