/ 1 October 2008

Attracting the brightest from all sectors

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) — a public institution established by an Act of Parliament — in accordance with its mandate is at the forefront of enhancing South Africa’s development through the application of science and technology.

The CSIR is also a leader in developing and encouraging formal qualification in the interrelated disciplines of science, engineering and technology (SET).

The organisation offers assisted study as well as rewarding professional careers in these fields. We are steadily building up a cohort of highly qualified, specialised expertise in the SET disciplines, which is increasingly representative of the demographic and gender composition of the country.

The CSIR is an important component of South Africa’s research and development sector and a key player in the National System of Innovation (NSI), which seeks new scientifically based answers to the challenges that confront us as a nation. It also interacts closely with the industrial sector by performing research and development activities on a contract basis and with other research and development institutions in Africa and overseas.

The CSIR’s work covers a wide range of areas, including biosciences; built environment; defence, peace, safety and security; information and communications technology; laser technology; materials science and manufacturing; modelling and digital science; natural resources and the environment; and space technology.

One of the major thrusts of CSIR activity is to attract young South Africans to SET careers.

In pursuance of this the CSIR’s human capital development strategy includes:

  • A bursary programme designed to establish a pool of BSc and honours students in areas of shortage to ensure a supply for the CSIR over the longer term;
  • A studentship programme for selected SET students undertaking their master’s and PhD studies to establish a pool of appropriately qualified researchers in priority areas;
  • An internship programme offering experiential learning that allows qualified individuals to gain practical experience and acquire core technical skills;
  • A post-doctoral programme aimed at contributing to a deepening of the SET base and expanding the pool of mentors while strengthening local and international networks;
  • A research professional development programme with a transformation focus to strengthen research capacity and increase the number of previously disadvantaged individuals at the higher end of SET career ladders;
  • Sabbaticals and exchange programmes offering these opportunities for selected principal and chief researchers to enhance their knowledge and advance their research skills in critical disciplines; and
  • Management and leadership development aimed at equipping managers with competencies needed in SET leadership.

A well-developed competency in mathematics and science is critical for those school leavers interested in pursuing SET careers. This remains a challenge in South Africa, especially in schools lacking resources – human or equipment.

The CSIR is doing its part to boost these competencies so that those who have the aptitude to excel in SET disciplines are given the opportunity.

With other players in the research and development sector, we are serious about increasing a body of knowledge and expertise in SET that will command world respect as we attract the brightest and the best from all sectors of our society.

Dr Sibusiso Sibisi is the president and chief executive of the CSIR