Celebrating 10 years of growth in research and innovation
SOUTHERN AFRICAN RESEARCH & INNOVATION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
SARIMA
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME 4-7 September 2012 Pine Lodge Resort Port Elizabeth South Africa www.sarimaconference.co.za
This programme is sponsored by
WELCOME FROM SARIMA PRESIDENT, MICHELLE MULDER It is with great pride and pleasure that the SARIMA Executive Committee and I welcome you to SARIMA’s 2012 Annual Conference. This year marks the 10th anniversary of SARIMA’s existence and this year’s annual conference will be the highlight of our birthday celebrations. The exciting and diverse conference programme provides an opportunity for us to look back at the progress made in the discipline of research and innovation management over the last 10 years and to discuss new and improved practices for the future. We are delighted to welcome prominent and distinguished local, regional and international presenters and thank them in advance for their contributions. I would like to mention, in particular, Dr David Langley, Director of Research and Enterprise Development, University of Bristol, and Dr Ashley Stevens, President, Focus IP Group, LLC and Lecturer, Strategy and Innovation Department, Boston University, who will deliver plenary presentations on research management and innovation, respectively. We are also very proud to present to you our Decennial Publication, which highlights SARIMA’s achievements over the last 10 years and includes feature articles on various aspects of research and innovation management. A sincere thank you to all of those who have contributed to this publication. Finally, I would like to thank the conference organizers, Eastern Sun, and the Conference Committee for their hard work and dedication in putting this conference together. I would like to mention, in particular, the Conference Committee Chair, Jaci Barnett, who convinced us that Port Elizabeth would be a good location for this special celebration and who has expended enormous effort in ensuring that it will be one to remember! We trust you will enjoy the hospitality afforded by the “friendly city” of Port Elizabeth and thank you for joining us in celebrating 10 years of growth in research and innovation in Southern Africa.
MESSAGE FROM THE CONFERENCE CHAIRPERSON, JACI BARNETT I am delighted to welcome you to the Eastern Cape, to Port Elizabeth, and to the SARIMA Conference on the occasion of SARIMA’s 10th anniversary. It is a privilege for our city to host you and I hope you enjoy your stay as much as we enjoy welcoming guests. I encourage you to stay and enjoy our beaches and bush after the Conference but, if you don’t have time, you can at least kick your shoes off and feel the sand between your toes at our gala dinner with a difference! The Conference has had overwhelming support from members of the research and innovation community and from our supporting agencies, who have really embraced the conference as a means of drawing our community together and building capacity in our profession. The Conference growth from year to year illustrates the importance of the event in our annual calendar – the one time when we can get together, from intern to Deputy Vice Chancellor, to discuss issues of importance, learn from each other, and face our challenges together. Thank you for your support. I am sure the conference will inspire and motivate you for the next 10 years in our profession!
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SPONSORS Platinum Sponsors: IDC - Industrial Development Corporation
TIA - Technology Innovation Agency
Gold Sponsors: NRF - National Research Foundation
Silver Sponsors: NIPMO – National Intellectual Property Management Office
Research Africa
Spoor & Fisher
Bronze Sponsors: Info Ed Global - Advancing Research
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ORGANISING COMMITTEE Jaci Barnett (Chairperson) Andrew Bailey Maryke Hunter-Husselmann Jose Jackson-Malete Michelle Mulder Reney Peters Cristina Pinto Corline Kriel Karin Dyason
CONFERENCE MANAGEMENT For further information, please contact the official conference organisers:
Eastern Sun Events Phone: Email:
+27 (0) 41 374 5654 tanya@easternsun.co.za
Registration queries: Kristy-Lee Margolius +27 (0) 76 517 7210 Programme queries: Lizl Fyffe +27 (0) 72 292 2652 All other queries: Tanya Schmidt
+27 (0) 82 6511 271
ORDER OF EVENTS Tuesday 4 September 2012 10h00 - 16h30:
Pre-conference workshops
Wednesday 5 September 2012 07h30 - 09h30: 09h30: 17h30:
Registration Conference commences Welcome Function in the exhibition area
Thursday 6 September 2012 08h30 - 17h00: 19h00:
Conference Gala Dinner / Beach Party at the Humewood Bridge
Friday 7 September 2012 08h30 - 13h00:
Conference
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INTERNATIONAL INVITED SPEAKERS Dr David Langley
Dr Ashley J. Stevens
Director of Research and Enterprise Development, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
D.Phil (Oxon), CLP, RTTP; President Focus IP Group, LLC; Lecturer Strategy and Innovation Department; School of Management Boston University; Guest Professor Osaka University
Dr David Langley has been Director of Research and Enterprise Development at the University of Bristol for the last 5 years. Prior to this, he was Director of Research Services at Imperial College London, and before that worked at the Medical Research Council.
The Focus IP Group provides a variety of consulting services in intellectual property matters, including serving as an Expert Witness in intellectual property disputes, technology scouting, technology transfer and teaching the commercialization of early stage technologies.
David is an advocate of professionalising research management and is co-author of a 2009 project on research administration in 20 English universities. He is an Associate Editor of “The Journal of Research Administration” and was awarded Distinguished Faculty status by the Society of Research Administrators International. He is on the editorial advisory board of “Research Global”, published by the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
For 15 years, Dr. Stevens led Boston University’s Office of Technology Transfer. He then became Special Assistant to the Vice President for Research for two years before retiring from full time employment at BU. He remains a Lecturer in the Strategy and Innovation Department in Boston University’s School of Management, where he teaches two graduate-level, inter-disciplinary courses on Technology Commercialization. Before joining Boston University he was Director of the Office of Technology Transfer at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a teaching affiliate of the Harvard Medical School. During his tenure at Boston University, the Office of Technology Development spun out over 50 companies based on the University’s research, a number of which raised substantial amounts of capital, and the University’s licensing income climbed steadily.
He is Key Associate at the UK Leadership Foundation for Higher Education for research management and administration. David is Chair of the Board of Trustees at The British School of Osteopathy and a member of the Science and Research Advisory Board of Diabetes UK. His PhD is in neuropharmacology and he was awarded a Senior Fulbright Scholarship that enabled him to undertake research at the National Institutes of Health, USA, and is a Fellow of the Society of Biology (FSB).
He has recently been appointed Guest Professor at Osaka University, Japan, where he teaches G-TEC, an intensive summer course on technology commercialization. He has also taught in Chile, China and India. Prior to entering the technology transfer profession, Dr. Stevens worked in the biotechnology industry for nearly ten years. He was a co-founder of Kytogenics, Inc., of which he is still a Director, was co-founder of Genmap, Inc., and was Vice President of Business Development for BioTechnica International. He was the recipient of the Bayh-Dole Award at the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) 2007 Annual Meeting and became President of AUTM in March 2010. Dr. Stevens holds a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences, a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Chemistry from Oxford University. He is a Certified Licensing Professional and a Registered Technology Transfer Professional.
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SPEAKER INFORMATION
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
Presentations to be loaded a minimum of 2 hours before the start of your session. This can be done during tea and lunch times or early in the morning, in the venue where you will present. There will be a technician from 07h00 onwards.
Welcome Cocktail Party at the Exhibition area Date: Time: Dress code:
Gala Dinner at Happy Valley/ Humewood Bridge, Marine Drive (next to the Town Lodge)
INNOVATION SHOWCASE
Date: Time: Dress code:
Cape Peninsula University of Technology Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Medical Research Council Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University North-West University Stellenbosch University Tshwane University of Technology University of Cape Town University of Kwa-Zulu Natal University of Potchefstroom University of the Western Cape University of the Witwatersrand
6 September 2012 19h00 – 23h00 Smart casual, please remember to wear comfortable shoes and a warm jacket
Transport will be provided to the Gala dinner on 6 September Collection Time: 18h40 at Pine Lodge & Summerstrand Hotel Please wait outside reception at your hotel, please do not wait inside the hotel. Look out for a Springbok Atlas coach. Return: 21h30 and 23h00 from the parking area behind the Town Lodge and John Dory’s restaurant.
EXHIBITORS
Directions: From Pine Lodge (Marine Drive) travel down this road (with the hotels behind you) for a few kilometres. Turn left into Lodge Road (between the Courtyards Suites (white walls, red roof) and the City Lodge buildings. Travel up Lodge Road for about 100m and then turn right (behind City Lodge). Travel down this narrow road at the back of the hotels into a large parking area (you will be behind the Town Lodge and John Dory’s Restaurant). Walk down towards Happy Valley - to your right you will see the beach area where the dinner will take place.
HSRC - Human Sciences Research Council IDC - Industrial Development Corporation Info Ed Global - Advancing Research NRF - National Research Foundation ProQuest Research Africa TIA - Technology Innovation Agency (Note: TIA is available in Kingfisher 1 for individual consultations)
DRESS CODE
(See map on next page)
The dress code for the conference will be smart casual.
TRANSPORT
REGISTRATION DESK
Airport transfers and transport from your hotel to Pine Lodge, to be arranged independently.
The desk will be situated in the exhibition area. The office will be open at the following times: Tuesday 4 September 2012 Wednesday 5 September 2012 Thursday 6 September 2012 Friday 7 September 2012
5 September 2012 17h30 - 19h30 Smart casual
Airport Transfers: Contact Ilios Travel
08h00 - 17h00 07h00 – 18h00 07h30 – 17h00 07h30 – 13h30
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Tel: +27 (0) 41 583 2353
Map from Airport to Pine Lodge Airport
DIRECTIONS TO PINE LODGE RESORT: From Airport: -Upon exiting Airport turn right & follow the Summerstrand signs -Keep right & continue straight until you reach the Beachfront -At the Beachfront, turn right into Beach Rd & continue straight -Continue past the Beacon & Humewood Golf Course (DO NOT TURN RIGHT INTO ADMIRALTY WAY) until you reach the Pine Lodge sign
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Shark Rock Pier
Mac Arthur Pools
Humerail Centre
Beach Road
PINE LODGE CONFERENCE ROOM CONFIGURATION
Passage
TIA
Ablutions
Innovation Showcase Hoepoe Room
Kingfisher2
Conference Venue Sunbird Rooms 1 - 8
Kingfisher 1
Undercover Deck
Open Grass Area
Swimming Pool
Exhibition Area Tea & lunch to be served here
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Registration
PROGRAMME Tuesday 4 September 2012 09h00 17h00
South African Research Directors Forum relaunch and meeting (per invitation only)
10h00 16h30
Parallel workshops Workshop 1 The basics of setting up a TTO
Workshop 2 IP Valuation
Workshop 3 Exploring Horizon 2020 - The new EU framework programme
Wednesday 5 September 2012 07h00 09h30
Registration
09h30 09h50
Opening Ceremony: How far we have come…celebrating 10 years! Shelley Mulder - President, SARIMA
Plenary Session 1
Venue: Sunbird 1-8 Theme: “The future of our professions” Chairperson: Shelley Mulder, SARIMA
This session is sponsored by the Technology Innovation Agency
09h50 10h25
The role of academic research in South Africa’s innovation ecosystem Ashley Stevens - President, Focus IP Group, LLC, Past President, ATUM
10h25 11h00
The future of our profession: who are we as research managers and where are we going David Langley - Director of Research and Enterprise Development, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
11h00 11h30
Coffee / Tea
Parallel Session 1A
Venue: Sunbird 1-4 Theme: “Ten years of technology transfer” Chairperson: Jaci Barnett, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Parallel Session 1B
Venue: Sunbird 5-8 Theme: “Ten years of research management” Chairperson: Johann Mouton, Stellenbosch University
This session is sponsored by the Industrial Development Corporation 11h30 12h00
SARIMA’s impact on tech transfer over the last 10 years Shelley Mulder - SARIMA
11h30 12h00
Management challenges and the innovation system - a ten year perspective Michael Kahn - Research and Innovation Associates
12h00 12h20
NIPMO and the IPR Act – impact on the tech transfer environment Kerry Faul - National Intellectual Property Management Office
12h00 12h15
Understanding the functionality of research support at North West University - why is it working for us Marietjie Halgryn - North West University
12h15 12h30
Monitoring, evaluation and reporting by STI entities: functions and dysfunctions in the NSI Magdal Pienaar-Marais - National Research Foundation
12h30 12h45
Five keys to improving research costing in low- and middleincome countries Garry Aslanyan - World Health Organization Karen Bruns - Research Africa
12h45 13h00
The research manager as a programme champion in research mentorship programmes: A storied inquiry Retha Visagie - University of South Africa and Bernadette Johnson - Vaal University of Technology
12h20 12h40
Funding entrepreneurial innovation – challenges, lessons, failures and breakthroughs Christo Fourie - Industrial Development Corporation
12h40 13h00
The role of technology stations in the transfer of technology to SMEs in South Africa. An evaluation and new framework. Duncan Tungande - Technology Innovation Agency
13h00 14h00
Lunch
Parallel Session 2A
14h00 14h30
Venue: Sunbird 1-4 Theme: “Lessons learned - how did we get here?” Chairperson: Shelley Mulder, Medical Research Council
Practices in technology transfer offices in South Africa: structures, policy approaches and systems Ela Romanowska - Wits Enterprise
Parallel Session 2B
14h00 14h30
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Venue: Sunbird 5-8 Theme: “Research collaboration and networking: the role of the research manager” Chairperson: Therina Theron, Stellenbosch University
The challenge of innovation and collaboration in the knowledge economy Ivor Sarakinsky - University of the Witwatersrand
PROGRAMME Wednesday 5 September 2012 Parallel Session 2A
14h30 15h30
15h30 15h45 Parallel Session 3A 15h45 16h15
Venue: Sunbird 1-4 Theme: “Lessons learned - how did we get here?” Chairperson: Shelley Mulder, Medical Research Council
Experiences, challenges and lessons learned operating a TTO Andrew Bailey - University of Cape Town Rudi van der Walt - North West University Anita Nel - Stellenbosch University Sean Moolman - CSIR
Parallel Session 2B
Venue: Sunbird 5-8 Theme: “Research collaboration and networking: the role of the research manager” Chairperson: Therina Theron, Stellenbosch University
14h30 14h50
Research collaboration and networking: the role of the research manager David Langley - University of Bristol
14h50 15h10
Innovations on consultancies and contract research at the University of Mauritius Vinod Lalljee - University of Mauritius
15h10 15h30
Booklaunch: seven imperatives for success in research Laetus Lategan, Karin Dyason, Ulrich Holzbaur
Coffee / Tea Venue: Sunbird 1-4 Theme: “Research, innovation and public benefit” Chairperson: Tony Bunn, Medical Research Council Intellectual property and academic community in a changed global economic environment Joseph Straus - NIPMO-UNISA Chair on Intellectual Property
16h15 16h35
Universities, innovation and inclusive development in Africa: towards a research network Glenda Kruss - Human Sciences Research Council
16h35 16h55
Promoting utilisation of research findings: from policy to reality Hendrik Marais - University of Pretoria
Parallel Session 3B 15h45 16h30
Venue: Sunbird 5-8 Theme: “Internationalisation and its impact on research institutions” Chairperson: Aldo Stroebel, University of the Free State Panel discussion: Strategies used by Southern African HE institutions to promote international research visibility and best practice to monitor impact/success Panel members: Loveness Kaunda - Director of International Academic Programmes, University of Cape Town Leps Malete - International Education and Partnerships, University of Botswana Arthur Johnson - Head of International Affairs, University of Fort Hare
16h30 16h45
Advancing doctoral education: case studies of European and South African graduate school models Johann Groenewald - Stellenbosch University
16h45 17h00
Accessing international grants for researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and possible solutions Yogi Naik - National University of Science & Technology, Zimbabwe
17h00 17h15
Internationalisation of research and innovation to accelerate doctoral production: a UFS faculty case study Priscilla Mensah - University of the Free State
16h55 17h15
A measurement framework for repeat innovation in R & D organisations with specific reference to ICT Hina Patel - Meraka Institute
17h30 19h30
Welcome Function
19h30 20h30
Venue: Sunbird 1-4 Informal discussion regarding “Innovation Roadshow” – facilitated by Sean Moolman, CSIR. All TTOs are invited.
Thursday 6 September 2012 Plenary Session 2
Venue: Sunbird 1-8 Theme: “Research and innovation management: reflections from SARIMA’s past presidents” Chairperson: Aldo Stroebel, SARIMA
08h30 09h05
Taking bold steps into Africa for the improvement of research & innovation management support Peter van Eldik - Tshwane University of Technology
09h05 09h40
Research strategy Amanda Lourens - North West University
09h40 10h15
Challenges of research and innovation at the Universities of Technology Tembeka Mpako-Ntusi - Cape Peninsula University of Technology
10h15 10h45
Coffee / Tea
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PROGRAMME Thursday 6 September 2012 Parallel Session 4A 10h45 11h15
Venue: Sunbird 1-4 Theme: “Focus on ICT and software” Chairperson: Andrew Bailey, University of Cape Town The Future ICTs In Africa Mkhululi Palane - Private
Parallel Session 4B 10h45 11h15
Venue: Sunbird 5-8 Theme: “The role of the research manager to advance research and innovation” Chairperson: Cassie Carstens, Necsa Panel discussion: Research managers as important advisors to strategic initiatives that can have a real impact on research performance of an institution. Panel members: David Langley - Director of Research and Enterprise Development, University of Bristol Marilet Sienaert - Director: Research, University of Cape Town
11h15 11h40
Intellectual property protection in the ICT industry - the protection 11h15 of Computer Implemented Inventions (CIIs) 11h35 Erik van der Vyver - Von Seidels Attorneys
11h40 12h05
Developing business models for ICT enterprises within a developing country context Thiru Naidoo-Swettenham - Southern African Innovation Support Programme
Academic scholarship development through research coaching and mentoring in higher education: How serious are we? Retha Visagie - University of South Africa and Bernadette Johnson - Vaal University of Technology
11h35 11h55
Challenges facing research management in Africa Raven Jimmy - National Research Foundation
11h55 12h15
Portfolio management in a research organisation; money well spent or an unnecessary cost? David Walwyn - Reseva and University of Pretoria
12h15 12h35
Research management from a faculty perspective Desere Kokt - Central University of Technology
12h05 12h30
Models for technology research collaboration between industry and academia in South Africa Stephan Lamprecht - Venture Solutions
12h30 13h30 Parallel Session 5A
Lunch
13h30 14h00
Commercialising medical devices: the challenge of certification Kit Vaughan - CapeRay Medical (Pty) Ltd
13h30 14h00
Beware the inherent dangers of the data dashboard Robin Drennan - University of the Witwatersrand
14h00 14h20
Regulation of medical devices Mark Bodley - Iquad Intergrated Management Systems
14h00 14h20
14h20 14h40
MRC Innovation Centre models for enhancing innovation Tony Bunn - Medical Research Council
14h20 14h40
14h40 15h00
A special purpose vehicle for entrepreneurial activities at a faculty of health sciences Sara Grobbelaar - Stellenbosch University Coffee / Tea
14h40 15h00
Research Information Management Systems: Is InfoEd (RIMS) the answer? Maricel van Rooyen - University of the Free State Use of information management and digital repository system in improving and enhancing research at UB Clement Matasane - University of Botswana Who are the forerunners in our research production? Information intelligence for strategic interventions Fulufhelo Netswera - University of South Africa
15h00 15h30 Parallel Session 6A
15h30 16h00
Venue: Sunbird 5-8 Theme: “Focus on the health sector” Chairperson: Saberi Marais, Stellenbosch University
Venue: Sunbird 5-8 Theme: “Biotech, agriculture and pharma” Chairperson: Doug Sanyahumbi, University of the Western Cape Innovation within the agricultural space Mohammed Jeenah - Agricultural Research Council
Parallel Session 5B
Parallel Session 6B
15h30 16h00
Venue: Sunbird 3-4 Theme: “Research Information Management in the face of technological advancement” Chairperson: Reney Peters, SARIMA
Parallel Session 5C
13h30 15h00
Venue: Sunbird 3-4 Parallel Theme: “Research Managers as Session Science Communicators” 6C Chairperson: delegate from SAASTA (to be confirmed) Quality science deserves quality 15h30 communication 17h00 Marina Joubert - Southern Science
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Venue: Sunbird 1-2 Theme: “Focus on SADC”
Workshop on Five Keys to Improving Research Costing in LMICs, an ESSENCE good practice guide on identifying and managing indirect cost recovery. (Special input will be given to nonSouth African universities at this workshop) Presented by ESSENCE, Research Africa and SARIMA
Venue: Sunbird 1-2 Theme: “Professionalisation of Research Management”
Presentations and a discussion on a postgraduate qualification in Research Management: (continued on next page)
PROGRAMME Thursday 6 September 2012 Parallel Session 6A
16h00 16h20
16h20 16h40
16h40 17h00
19h00 23h00
Venue: Sunbird 5-8 Theme: “Biotech, agriculture and pharma” Chairperson: Doug Sanyahumbi, University of the Western Cape
Parallel Session 6B
Re-designing R&D management for effective innovation Reinhard Hiller - Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research
16h00 16h20
Technology transfer for maximum impact David Walwyn - Reseva and University of Pretoria
16h20 16h40
The trials and tribulations of an entrepreneur - commercialising mead Garth Cambray - Mekana Meadery
16h40 17h00
Venue: Sunbird 3-4 Theme: “Research Managers as Science Communicators” Chairperson: delegate from SAASTA (to be confirmed)
Parallel Session 6C
Venue: Sunbird 1-2 Theme: “Professionalisation of Research Management”
Research uptake management needs 16h00 strategic alignment of university 17h00 research and support resources Diana Coates - Organisation Systems Design and Sara Grobelaar - Stellenbosch University Tell me about your sustainability projects - press releases as a tool for education for sustainable development Ulrich Holzbaur - Aalen University / Central University of Technology
Presentations and a discussion on a postgraduate qualification in Research Management:
Development and effective use of electronic newsletters towards social collaboration Louis Bouwer - North West University
- Open discussion
Draft agenda: - Setting the scene - Presentation on the UK experience - Presentations from higher education institutions and other service providers
- Summary of observations and the way forward.
Gala Dinner
Transport will be provided to the Gala dinner, departing from the Pine Lodge & Summerstrand Hotel at 18h40.
Friday 7 September 2012 Parallel Session 7A
Venue: Sunbird 1-4 Theme: “Manufacturing and materials” Chairperson: Ela Romanowska, Wits Enterprise
09h00 09h30
Kestrel Micro-Wind Turbine development and its role in the RE segment Johan Ferreira - Kestrel
09h30 09h50
WeldCore™: from research to commercialisation Dirk Odendaal - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
09h50 10h10
Barriers to commercialisation: the CSIR plastics barrier technology as case study Sean Moolman - CSIR
10h1010h30
The use of direct manufacturing technologies to support proof of concept research Jan Jooste - Vaal University of Technology
10h30 11h00
Coffee / Tea
Parallel Session 8A
Parallel Session 7B
This session will take the form of practical demonstrations of tools and launches of new initiatives
09h00 09h45
RIMS/InfoEd demonstration Stanley Duncan - InfoEd
09h45 10h30
ResearchAfrica demonstration Karen Bruns - Research Africa
Venue: Sunbird 1-4 Theme: “The next 10 years: trends in technology transfer” Chairperson: Shelley Mulder, SARIMA
11h00 11h15
Supporting regional innovation systems in Southern Africa priorities identified from the SAIS programme Thiru Naidoo-Swettenham - Southern African Innovation Support Programme
11h15 11h30
TIA’s strategic direction Bongi Gumede - Technology Innovation Agency
11h30 11h45
Socially Responsible Licensing Rabo Busang - Medical Research Council
11h45 12h00
New Innovation Metrics and TTOs Tana Pistorius - University of South Africa
12h00 12h15
Towards understanding innovation and innovation chasms in Africa: a rookie’s perspective Alphonsus Neba - University of Botswana
12h15 12h30
Wrap up and close Shelley Mulder - SARIMA
12h30 13h30
Lunch
Venue: Sunbird 5-8 Theme: “Tricks of the trade: tools that can help” Chairperson: Karin Dyason, SARIMA
Parallel Session 8B 11h00 12h30
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Venue: Sunbird 5-8 Theme: “Looking ahead - the next 10 years: trends and forecasts in research and innovation management” Chairperson: Jose Jackson-Malete, University of Botswana In conversation: Amanda Lourens, North-West University and Aldo Stroebel, University of the Free State
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PAPER ABSTRACTS - LISTED BY PRESENTING AUTHOR Presenting Authors: Aslanyan, G; Bruns, K Five keys to improving research costing in low- and middleincome countries
Framework’ where the implementation of various new social media technologies depends strongly on the research institution’s social media usage maturity level.
ESSENCE on Health Research is an initiative between funding agencies to improve the coordination and harmonization of health research-capacity investments. ESSENCE members embrace the principles of donor harmonization and country alignment expressed in the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and in the 2008 Accra Agenda for Action. As one way to achieve these goals, ESSENCE members have thus far developed and produced two good-practice documents, incorporating current knowledge and best practices on health research and development issues. Five Keys in Improving Research Costing in low- and middle-Income Countries is the second in the series and is based on the recognition that research costing is a major challenge for institutions in low- to medium-income countries (LMICs) seeking to develop and maintain sustainable research environments. ESSENCE is in an ideal position to facilitate a dialogue between international funders and health research institutes in LMICs. A study was therefore initiated to examine the research-costing practices of both funders and funding recipients, and to open a channel for these organizations to engage with one another while focusing particularly on the issue of indirect costs. The presentation will start with an introduction of the project followed by a presentation of the Good Practice Document and will end with moderated discussion with the audience on research costing and possible further dissemination of the good practices.
This presentation will focus on the development and effective use of the electronic newsletter as a building block towards social collaboration. The electronic newsletter was developed as a consumer product where specific knowledge from various fields such as product management, technology management and industrial design were applied. The presenter will also share his experience and success with his newsletter project.
Presenting Author: Bunn, T Co-author: Milandri, G; Kotze, M MRC Innovation Centre models for enhancing innovation Innovation in the drugs, diagnostics, vaccines and medical devices industry is small and dispersed in South Africa, but there is growing realization by local and international funders of the value that cohesive and well-managed models can play in addressing national health priorities in developing countries. The success of global product development partnerships (PDPs) reflect the current phase in the history of health technology development, where the public and private sectors have found productive ways to collaborate. Much research work is undertaken in SA universities, but this seldom reaches clinical use for a variety of reasons. The Innovation Centre(IC) at the MRC has developed some novel innovation partnership models that will be discussed. These structures specifically aim to connect relevant groups and match skills to needs in flexible networks. For example, the Medical Device Innovation Platform (MDIP) aims to do this for medical devices by connecting scientists in universities to collaborate on projects with identified health impact. The IC was also instrumental in spinning out and developing the novel business model for GKnowmix Pty Ltd.
Presenting Author: Bodley, MD Regulation of medical devices Medical Devices Certification in accordance with the various applicable national and international regulatory requirements is complex with various routes to follow in order to meet these requirements. The Medical Devices Directive, applicable Harmonised ISO / EN / IEC Standards, Act(s), International Medical Devices Competent Authorities / Bodies, Task Forces and Vigilance organizations are also presented as part of achieving medical devices compliance and certification.
This web-based platform involves pathology-supported genetic testing and is uniquely able to harness the expertise of global scientists/geneticists. The University of Stellenbosch has provided the enabling environment for the R&D translation involved. Finally, a model for drugs, diagnostics and vaccines is presently in development. These models, which enhance innovation towards health impact, will be presented to highlight successes and challenges in recent years.
Presenting Author: Bouwer, L Co-author: Venter, L Development and effective use of electronic newsletters towards social collaboration
Presenting Author: Busang, R Socially responsible licensing
In the modern era where most of us are working as knowledge workers, social media is a fast growing technology and communication medium. Gartner Inc. forecasted a worldwide total revenue growth of $14.2 billion within the next 3 years.
In 2011 a survey on Socially Responsible Licensing (SRL) practices in South African public institutions was conducted by MRC based members of the Access to Pharmaceutical (ATP) project (funded by the European Union FP-7 funding programme). This presentation will provide the outcomes of the survey and some guidelines for the implementation of SRL practices by technology transfer professionals in line with the requirements of the IPR Act.
This paper wants to promote the idea that there may exist many important benefits to implement social collaboration within research institutions, but also acknowledges the huge obstacles and possible resistance from baby boomer generation researchers to make the communication paradigm shift. It is impossible for any organization to shift gears from just using e-mail to becoming a social collaborative research institution. Therefore this paper proposes a ‘Social Media Adoption Maturity
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Presenting Authors: Coates, D; Grobbelaar,S Research uptake management needs strategic alignment of university research and support resources
helpful, it is always necessary to actually speak to researchers and to metaphorically ‘kick the tyres’.
The demand from governments and funders to have research make an impact on policy and practices is increasing.While some research is not immediately and obviously evidence- and solutions-based, in many African universities a good proportion of the research done has the potential to contribute to developmental, social and economic outcomes.
Presenting Author: Faul, K NIPMO and the IPR-PFRD Act - impact on the tech transfer environment Two years have passed since publication of the proclamation for the commencement of the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act (IPR-PFRD Act; No. 51 of 2008) on 2 August 2010. The IPR-PFRD Act seeks to ensure that the outcomes of a research and development (R&D) activity, conducted using public funds, is utilised and/or commercialised for the benefit of the people of the Republic of South Africa. The IPR-PFRD Act provided for the establishment of the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), the IP Fund and offices of technology transfer (OTT). The NIPMO is required, amongst other functions, to assist recipients of public funds, and in particular institutions typically via their OTT’s, to comply with their obligations in terms of the IPRPFRD Act. Of particular importance is the emphasis the IPR-PFRD Act places on the identification of intellectual property (IP) generated following R&D and requires researchers and the like, who operate in a publicly financed space, to temporarily put aside their aspirations to release their IP into the public domain by publishing and instead determine, with the assistance of their OTT, whether the IP created warrants protection by law.
Research Uptake Management (RUM) is an emerging specialist field in institutional research management. Universities tend to leave the communication and dissemination of research to individual researchers, and do not realize the potential of professional research uptake management as a powerful means of strengthening a university’s reputation. As is the case with the more established research management fields such as research information management and technology transfer management, RUM managers will come from diverse backgrounds. Among the most important for Research Uptake Management are backgrounds in research management, publicity, marketing and communications, knowledge brokering and translation, science communication and crucially, management of an institution’s profile in the burgeoning multi-media and web-world environment. Research Uptake Management is integral to management of the entire research cycle from conception to close-out, and is a powerful means of enhancing a university’s ranking and reputation.
The presentation will provide an overview on the establishment of the NIPMO and the internal workings thereof, will take a look at NIPMO’s progress to date and outline the role NIPMO would like to play in assisting the effective transfer of technologies developed within the publicly financed space to market.
Presenting Author: Drennan, R Beware the inherent dangers of the data dashboard Research and innovation (R&I) are complex human activities. They are characterised by the search for truth in areas where it is not apparent.
Presenting Author: Fourie, C Funding entrepreneurial innovation – challenges, lessons, failures and breakthroughs
In the modern context of governance and accountability, the management of R&I – in the sense of making decisions about investment of resources – is difficult. Thus practitioners strive for evidence based decision making, a noble quest indeed. So time and resources are diverted from the R&I effort to the collection of (hopefully) relevant data.
The IDC’s Venture Capital (VC) SBU provides equity funding and post investment advice, support and guidance to local start-up technology-focused businesses in any industry / sector to enable the completion of the development of globally unique South African intellectual property (IP) into market-ready products, followed by the commercialisation thereof, locally and/or internationally. Funding of between R1-million and R40-million per project is provided in return for an equity stake of between 25% and 50%. The size of the equity stake is determined by the VC SBU’s valuation of the business and the amount of funding required.
These data are conveniently and routinely divided into three categories. Input data focused on financial, human and time resource investment. Output data focused on peer-reviewed publications, patents and graduated students. Outcome data about the impact of R&I on people: e.g., spin off companies, social innovations like Drama for Life and new medical protocols.
Since its establishment in 2007 the VC SBU has invested in 27 new companies of which 7 are still developing their technologies, 14 are making progress with the commercialization of their technologies, 1 have been sold and 5 have been liquidated / ceased operations. There is no stipulated investment period, but the SBU’s objective is to exit within a reasonable time frame, targeting a return of at least 30% on the portfolio.
These data are extracted from a myriad of sources and are synthesised into information through the concept of the datawarehouse: A concept that is complicated by disparate metadata. Ultimately the information is presented in the form of a ‘dashboard’. This notion is one of a cockpit where the ‘pilot’ can use the evidence to fly in the selected direction safely and speedily.
An overview will be given of the technologies that have been supported to date. In addition, the challenges encountered, lessons learnt, failures suffered and breakthroughs achieved in respect of these businesses will be shared. These examples will demonstrate that the IDC VC SBU is not only a funder, but also a partner that provides ongoing advice, support and guidance to its portfolio companies.
This notion works well in manufacturing businesses, but does it apply to R&I? Examples from the route analogy – the aeroplane cockpit – and the history of science will demonstrate that the dashboard is insufficient to fly the research aeroplane. Although
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Presenting Author: Grobbelaar, S Co-author: Verhoef, G A special purpose vehicle for entrepreneurial activities at a faculty of health sciences
to bridge scientific output and products and services improving quality of life. Innovation at firm level becomes important especially in strategic industry sectors. This is implemented at regional and local levels thereby improving regional competitiveness.
The management of one of South Africas top Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) commissioned a task team to assess entrepreneurial activities at the FHS with the aim to identify the need for a strategy, dedicated structure and possibly a special purpose vehicle that will address the unique requirements of the current entrepreneurial activities at the FHS. In this presentation the key findings of this study are examined.
Since the establishment of TIA in 2009, the implementation of its programmes (both financial and non-financial support) is currently being rolled out around the country. A need has however being identified to fast-track programme roll out in an integrated manner such that a platform exist to leverage TIA programmes and projects on a focussed basis to support both national/regional economic competitiveness in South Africa. World-wide experience indicates that the gap between scientific outputs and products and services, and more explicitly, the collaboration of tertiary and research institutions including industry and government (multi-helix partners) to produce and commercialize intellectual property generated, cannot be left to chance. Systems and processes must be established and managed to facilitate these initiatives.
The trend of the privatisation of Higher Education especially as seen within the faculty is discussed in this presentation and a range of models through which the development of private practices and clinics are managed are outlined. The aim of the discussion is to analyse the benefits and risks of privatisation of activities to the university (e.g. third stream income and the continued existence of capacity that will not necessarily get government support) as well as researchers (e.g. association with the universitys brand). Strategic recommendations are then made regarding how to develop a special purpose vehicle for embracing such activities to benefit academics as well as the university.
Presenting Author: Halgryn, M Co-author: Botha, H Understanding the functionality of research support at North West University - why is it working for us Background: In the current environment at many of the universities in South Africa, a lot of our colleagues, researchers and other staff members, ask us the same question what are the Research Support department doing at the University?
Presenting Author: Groenewald, J Advancing doctoral education: case studies of European and South African graduate school models Over the last five years, the doctorate has been touted as the main driver in creating and sustaining human capital and in promoting South Africas entry into the global knowledge economy. However, little was said about the current state, let alone recent advances in, doctoral education and training in South Africa and elsewhere. In this paper I will describe and compare recent additions to the landscape of higher education. They are the Humboldt Graduate School in Berlin, Germany, and the Graduate School and African Doctoral Academy in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The comparison reveals that both are attempts to respond to underlying pressures in contemporary higher education. Although these two graduate schools probably have similar purposes, they operate in vastly different contexts, producing interesting innovations in the organisational architecture of higher education. The analysis also foregrounds questions about the appropriateness of the current management of doctoral education and training, including models of supervision of, and the financial provisions for, doctoral study in South Africa. These and related matters pose daunting challenges to the management of research and postgraduate study at South African universities.
We can usually answer them in short, but do we really know what impact and what an important role we are playing. My aim is to illustrate how the different sections of the North-West Universitys Institutional Research support department is linked with each other, and to visualize this to other.
Presenting Author: Gumede, M TIA’s strategic direction
This will be a visualization of the functions and purposes of Research Support at the North-West University and the South African Tertiary Research Environment.
Purpose: To understand the functionality and purpose of the Research Support department at the North-West University All the functions. Responsibilities, purposes and links will be illustrated in the presentation. We are planning to do an interactive presentation together with 4 of our research support staff, each of them are specialists in their own fields. Conclusion: Hopefully this will assist other universities in South Africa and other countries with the same difficulties. It can also open doors for other departments at the institutions to offer our services and to market our services to the researchers. This can also lead to new services, because if the market that we service know what we can offer, it is easier to invent new ways and means to support the researchers.
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) was established through the Act of Parliament as a South African public entity to use South Africa’s science and technology base to develop new industries, create new sustainable jobs and help diversify the economy from commodity exports towards knowledge-based industries able to address modern day challenges.
Presenting Author: Hiller, R Re-designing R&D management for effective innovation The 21st century has commenced with the promise of breakthrough scientific advancements made in the field of modern biotechnology. In fact, recent developments in biomedical research have sparked previously unthinkable scientific initiatives, such as the Human Genome Project (HGP).
TIA supports the development and commercialisation of research outputs from multiple –helix partners, notably, tertiary institutions, research councils, industry, government and other players in order
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As an enabler of ‘omics’ innovation, we have asked ourselves how R&D projects can be managed so that high-quality outputs are achieved and a more effective progression of these outputs across the innovation chain is attained.
co-operation between the supervisor, the project teams and the office for marketing and public relations. We show the lessons learned, the pitfalls and the success factors of publishing these results on the web and in the local press.
We came up with a solution based on principles of lean management, R&D portfolio management and best practice in biotech project management. We have defined seven strategic interventions, underpinning the implementation of a new R&D management approach:
Presenting Author: Jeenah, M Innovation within the agricultural space The world faces the challenge of producing twice as much food by 2050 to feed the estimated 9 billion people. This has to be done on, at best the same amount of land, and less water. These challenges however can only be met through innovation within the agricultural sector.
A) Identify, secure and manage all the key resources and capabilities required to run ‘omics’ projects, as early as possible in the research & development life cycle. B) Organise and prioritise resources and capabilities according to their relevance along the innovation chain and facilitate a value-pull process.
The agricultural sector has continued to produce more food for an ever increasing population through primarily improved cultivars through breeding programmes and changes in agronomy practices. The presentation would look at the latest improvements in both breeding as well as agronomy practices. In addition a slightly futuristic look would be taken to attempt to understand the areas within which new innovations are expected.
C) Feed every project through a stratification process, using predefined criteria (disqualifiers, qualifiers, enhancers) as gate-keepers. D) Govern projects on the basis of a well-controlled stage/gate process, ensuring quality of inputs, processes and outputs for each individual stage.
Agricultural product commercialisation functions within a different paradigm from the commercialisation of other types of new ideas. A brief overview would be provided on the challenges faced within the sector.
E) Assess the value of each project in terms of its prospective scientific, social and commercial return as early as possible in the process.
Presenting Author: Jimmy, R Co-author: Nthambeleni, NB Challenges facing research management in Africa
F) Manage projects in portfolios reflecting risk and return, in alignment with selected focus areas. G) Engage in cross-innovation chain relationships to enhance stakeholder communication and coordination of activities.
Research development has been fast tracked throughout the world. New innovations, publications and patents are being produced as spin offs. However, the research management systems that are administrating and managing the research and development are not being developed concurrently, and this will inevitably lead to the hampering of research quality and development over time. The underlying processes and systems managing research are in dire need to be innovative, reliable and exhibit high levels of quality controls. In essence, research and development should in addition, take place in research management and not just in the traditional fields of study such as sciences, engineering, humanities, etc. A real concern prevails whereby systems are developed for research management without proper consultation with researchers, research administrators, highly qualified and skill personnel in the field of information technology. This problem is further compounded by the fact that the NRF carries a great administrative burden for several countries in Africa under certain international programme. This inevitably impacts on the efficiency of the organisation and its relevant stakeholders. The levels of beaurocracy and politics indirectly and directly affect the processes in research management. Consequently, it must be emphasised that the need to find the right balance between the relevant stakeholders is a considerable challenge on it own. However, it is highly imperative that stakeholders in the field of research management are consulted and work together in order to ensure that research management is on the same innovative path as general research across the research landscape in SA.
Presenting Author: Holzbaur, U Co-author: Theiss, M Tell me about your sustainability projects - press releases as a tool for education for sustainable development To communicate results to the public does also mean to bring these results to a wide audience outside the scientific community. A press release is quite different from a paper in a journal, but it can increase the visibility of sustainability projects and of research results tremendously. University projects do not only create knowledge and outcomes. They also show to the public that research staff and students can manage projects and that their work can make an impact on the real world. A press release will increase the visibility of projects results and can make an important contribution to education for sustainable development. Ceteris paribus this also applies to publications in the internet either on the universitys homepage, on an edited page, on your own homepage or in some social media. The Web 2.0 is changing the world from a producer-oriented to a consumer-oriented one. We give a case study on the public relations work for projects on sustainable development at Aalen University. Within the last 10 years we have used prepared projects method in about 400 projects with more than 100 person-years and published a lot of them in a
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Presenting Author: Jooste, J Co-author: de Beer, DJ The use of direct manufacturing technologies to support proof of concept research
Presenting Author: Kahn, M Management challenges for the innovation system - a ten year perspective
The VUT’s Technology Transfer and Innovation Directorate through its TIA-funded Technology Station, employs a number of advanced manufacturing (AM) platforms to support competitive and innovative product development as part of its technology transfer and diffusion activities. Whilst this has become a proven technology transfer support system in various HEI’s in SA, the Iscor Innovation Centre (IIC) opened doors for using AM to support ‘rapid research’ development, proof of concept and up-scaling for pilot technology demonstrators. Whilst the typical SA innovation chasm debates revolve around the lack of commercialization through lost opportunities, own experience reveals the inability to draw commercialization funding support as a major cause for the low levels of research commercialization. Venture capital (in all of its forms) tries is normally only available for low risk products. As such, evidence beyond mathematical modelling is necessary. The IIC has gained extensive experience in using AM to develop physical models for usage in a scale model wind tunnel as well as for an innovative approach to test the up-scaled pilot prototypes. Accelerated product development and ‘rapid research development’ are facilitated by using over-night scheduling of newly designed parts, enabling next-day testing and evaluation, using direct manufactured wind turbines. The accelerated product development and testing capability furthermore supports design iteration in an action research mode. The paper will discusses the latest research results, drawing on the experience gained in an integrated product development process, supported by anecdotes on how results have been obtained to support venture capital funding proposals and presentations to possible investors.
Presenting Author: Joubert, M Quality science deserves quality communication Research must improve people’s lives and livelihoods. To achieve this, it must communicate its insights and results at many different levels, ranging from small gatherings in rural villages to intergovernmental negotiating tables. This talk will explain how an effective communication strategy maximises the impact of good research by systematically engaging a range of targeted policy and public audiences. It will also highlight the importance of institutional culture and policies, as well as the key role of university press officers, to encourage and support science communication. Important contexts and motivating factors for “communicating scientists” will be explored, with special attention to the value of mass media and new media in the communication mix. The presentation will include information on a few tools and online resources that scientists can use to work more effectively with mass media and to make their science more relevant and accessible to lay audiences.
The single decade lifespan of SARIMA coincides with that of the Department of Science and Technology. Over this decade much has changed in the innovation system, and much has not. DST through the R&D Strategy of 2002 sought to guide and coordinate the system; Treasury for its part stuck to its model of promoting macro-economic stability; the universities underwent the traumas of mergers; the Science Councils soldiered on. A swathe of policy instruments were introduced: incubators, the BRICs, the R&D tax incentive, the IP from publicly funded R&D Act and NIPMO, SARChI and ESASTAP, and the Ten Year Plan for Innovation. Significant publicly funded projects included CeSTII, RIMS, SALT, KAT, the SKA bid, the Joule electric car, and the PBMR. Government expected to obtain large increases in scientific and innovation output, yet this has apparently not materialized. Is this a failure of governance, institutions, management, design, circumstance, and what might need to change?
Presenting Author: Kokt, D Research management from a faculty perspective The emergence and development of research at Universities of Technology (UoTs) has a relatively short history, as these institutions only started awarding degrees, including masters and doctoral degrees, in 2004. As research-related activities were not a priority prior to 2004 (when the technikon system was still in place), staff were mostly involved in teaching and learning activities. It is thus understandable that research and research management have a distinct set of challenges within these institutions most notably the establishment of a culture that promotes research and scholarship, as well as carving out a niche in terms of offering applied research with a distinct emphasis on innovation and technology transfer. Innovation and technology transfer characterizes UoTs and requires a comprehensive knowledge-base, supported by the systematic application of scientific research principles. With this in mind, this presentation aims to reflect on the research management initiatives of the author, that is the chairperson of the Research Committee of the Faculty of Management Sciences, at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT). It will focus on the initiatives of the faculty in promoting research and scholarship, as well as the actions applied by the faculty to enhance research outputs. It should be kept in mind that faculty efforts should feed into the overall research strategies and outputs of the wider university - this is indispensable in systematically mobilizing the growth of a sustainable research culture.
Presenting Author: Kruss, G Universities, innovation and inclusive development in Africa: towards a research network The presentation will introduce an emergent research network centred on innovation for inclusive development (IID) in sub-Saharan African contexts.
The current context of economic crisis and austerity measures is increasing inequality and poverty in OECD countries. Policymakers are pushed to explore how to mobilise existing and shrinking resources to address poverty and unemployment. In emerging economies, it is becoming increasingly evident that science,
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technology and innovation-led growth results in higher levels of poverty and inequality, prompting a search for alternatives, and a questioning of the role of science and technology in catching up processes in late developing countries. Thus, we have assumed that innovation is critical to competitiveness and growth, to allow countries to access the opportunities of globalization, and not to ‘fall behind’.
are generated. These include funded research, contract research, consultancy, matching grants, innovation, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), conference organisation. The terms of reference of this office are in line with international norms. The CCRC has recently undertaken a complete self–evaluation through a SWOT Analysis. Furthermore, it has also had extensive consultations with all stakeholders (academics, Deans of Faculty, Technicians, Unions, etc). Following these exercises, and taking consensus views of all parties concerned, we have come up with a proposal, which will lead to SMART goals and objectives.
Now, a new approach is emerging, focused on innovation that is socially inclusive and that can lead to inclusive development. By inclusive development we mean actions that are both by and for currently marginalized groups, with an emphasis on their agency.
Presenting Author: Lamprecht, S Co-author: van Rooyen, GJ Models for technology research collaboration between industry and academia in South Africa
Whereas innovation for global competitiveness is focused on building interaction between universities, government and firms, innovation for inclusive development also includes a focus on interaction with vulnerable and marginalised communities, local development issues and social policy. The processes go beyond the emphasis on production, industrial specialization, trade, and jobs to include processes aimed towards improved livelihoods, improved services, social and economic infrastructure and social impacts.
An essential component of an active knowledge economy is successful research and development (R&D) collaboration between entities in the private and public sector. This is particularly important in technology research, especially with software technologies where research results need to rapidly move into the market to have any chance of uptake in a normally shorter commercial window of opportunity. The Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act of 2008 (the IPR Act) seeks to provide measures to more effectively use intellectual property (IP) generated in whole or in part by the use of public funds. However, the requirements of the IPR Act have placed additional constraints on structuring industry collaboration with public research institutions. In particular, the Act requires that, should an industry partner wish to take ownership of IP generated at a public research institution, it should fund the research on a full cost basis, contribute materially to the development of the IP, or face a complicated and still mostly untested bureaucratic process of seeking assignment of IP. In this research paper, we consider a number of case studies of industryacademic research collaboration projects in South Africa undertaken within the context of the new IPR Act. We highlight certain benefits and detractions of each model, revealing practical implications and sometimes limitations of each.
Science and technology modes of innovation take the form of technology transfer, teaching research and community engagement models, and base of the pyramid approaches. Innovation for inclusive development in contrast, takes the form of grassroots innovation, and an integrated model of teaching and research of community engagement. Our project begins to explore the manifestations, possibilities and implications of such practices of innovation and inclusive development for universities from four Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries namely, Botswana, Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania, together with Uganda and Nigeria. To what extent and how do universities contribute to innovation in ways that are more integrated and inclusive of a wider array of social partners marginalised communities, public sector or firms? How they do so, based on their core mandates of teaching and research, so that they extend their scholarship to social benefit? The research attempts to make visible instances which may be taking place below the radar, where the university as an actor in the innovation system is interacting and engaging with the community. It explores the scale and forms such interaction takes, the management implications for projects and universities, and the incentives required to drive such interaction and address bottlenecks.
Presenting Author: Marais, H Co-author: Chan, KY; Gathua, S Promoting utilisation of research findings: from policy to reality
The project proposes to engage with these key questions as a means to promote a more coherent understanding of the catalyzing and intermediary role of universities in enabling innovation and creativity in Southern and sub Saharan Africa, and in addressing constraints to innovations oriented towards improved livelihoods and inclusive development. Collaboration with regional higher education organisations such as SARIMA will provide a conduit for advocacy and change amongst academics and universities, and to inform policy perspectives that are grounded in contextual realities.
Approaching graduate research from systems and management perspectives requires that research in general and graduate research in particular should account for national and institutional research policies and strategies throughout the life cycle of a project. This implies planning for outcomes beyond only the publication of the results of a dissertation (e.g. conversion of findings into technology, research-informed solutions to work-related problems and inputs to policy development) – thus narrowing the innovation chasm. The paper argues, firstly, that institutional research policies and strategies should reflect national ones. Analyses of policies and strategies of the five most productive research intensive universities showed varying degrees of sensitivity in this regard. Secondly, advanced students should be sensitised to the need to seek ways of implementing their dissertation findings and this can best be done as part of research methodology text books and courses. Analyses of text books on and courses in methodology did not find much evidence of this. Finally, the results of a web-based survey
Presenting Author: Lalljee, B Innovations on consultancies and contract research at the University of Mauritius CCRC is a facilitating centre providing a level playing field for a range of activities undertaken by University staff, and where funds
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of the utilisation/implementation behaviour of advanced students at two major institutions of technology management showed, firstly, that the dissertation findings were often utilised (solutions to work-related problems and contributions to policy debates and even to establishing SMEs). Secondly, stressing the importance of utilisation of research findings in research methodology courses and including recommendations in dissertations contributed positively to the utilisation of dissertation findings. Several recommendations conclude this paper, the final of a series of three.
is the extent of involvement of international students in the Facultys research? Does the Faculty provide a competitive advantage for international students? To what extent does the Faculty harness the skills of these students following graduation? What tangible benefits have resulted from internationalisation with respect to research, funding from international grants and staff and student exchanges? Recommendations on how to accelerate doctoral production in the Faculty, with specific emphasis on internationalisation, and the need to make greater use of the newly established Postgraduate School are provided.
Presenting Author: Matasane, C Co-author: Sekhwela, MBM; Malete, JJ Use of information management and digital repository system in improving and enhancing research at University of Botswana
Presening Author: Moolman, S Barriers to commercialisation: the CSIR plastics barrier technology as case study Barrier technology for plastics packaging represents a huge untapped global market. Hitting the sweet spot in terms of performance and cost would translate into a real blockbuster. Because of this, there is very stiff competition globally in trying to develop the ‘ideal’ barrier technology and the race is still on in 2012.
Lack of infrastructure and development for the university research and outputs management are emerging challenges. UB recognised the importance of research management and digital repository as solutions for managing research and innovation information, largely to embrace ICT in reducing the paper work that is associated with processes and mechanism [1, 2]. Platforms for conducive research capabilities to develop and retain researcher in many universities have limitations in providing adequate training and setting comprehensive coverage of the all challenges for research management technologies. Hence a collective effort in support of the next generation of researchers is an imperative for all with a stake in the best practice in research management and education. Solving the next generation problem will require comprehensive, functional, effective and efficient working environment for research and outputs management. The paper provides the overview of the systems-offerings in how funding mechanism and processes would be handled using the science and technology initiatives to enhance the university towards reaching its mission of intensifying research by new innovations. 1 Mr Clement Matasane; Dr MBM Sekhwela; Dr J Jackson-Malete, Office of Research & Development, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana, University of Botswana Research Management System and Digital Repository: Managing and storing research outputs at the University of Botswana, INORMS 2010 Conference, 11--15 April 2010, Cape Town, South Africa. 2 Dr Mogodisheng B.M. Sekhwela, Office of Research & Development, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana, University Research Outputs: A Resource for Strategic Position, INORMS 2010 Conference, 11--15 April 2010, Cape Town, South Africa
The CSIR developed a barrier coating for plastics technology during the early 2000’s, which in terms of barrier performance is today still one of the best barrier materials in the world. However, commercialisation of this technology has hit several stumbling blocks along the way and commercial success has proven elusive. The technology still has potential for commercial success, and efforts in this regard are ongoing. The commercialisation efforts and problems encountered in trying to commercialise the CSIR’s barrier technology will be presented as a case study. It is hoped that the lessons learnt from this process can contribute to improved commercialisation strategies for SARIMA members.
Presenting Author: Mulder, S SARIMA’s impact on tech transfer over the last 10 years The Innovation and Technology Transfer Portfolio of SARIMA has been in existence since the origins of the association. It was established in recognition of the importance of innovation in the research value chain and the fact that intellectual property management and technology transfer are quite distinct areas that do not fall within the conventional research management function. This presentation will highlight the activities of the portfolio over the last 10 years and their impact on technology transfer in Southern Africa.
Presenting Author: Mensah, P Internationalisation of research and innovation to accelerate doctoral production: a UFS faculty case study
Presenting Author: Naidoo-Swettenham, T Developing business models for ICT enterprises within a developing country context
The creation of new knowledge through innovative research will give South Africa a competitive edge in the knowledge based global economy. Universities, through doctoral programmes, become centres for innovative research. In recognition of the foregoing and to demonstrate commitment to fostering a culture of scholarship, the University of the Free State (UFS) revised its Internationalisation Strategy in 2008 and aligned it with a successful Research Strategy. This paper presents research and internationalisation strategies implemented by the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS, traces the progress that has been made and determines whether the targets for 2014 are attainable. The following questions will be addressed: how strong is the focus of the Faculty on international exposure, interaction and collaboration of its PhD students? What
The South Africa Finland Knowledge Partnership on ICT (SAFIPA) supported the development of innovative ICT applications for different communities within South Africa with the participation of SMMEs, NGOs, academia, research organisations and the corporate sector. In this paper we present the different approaches and perspectives by some of the SAFIPA partners who have worked in mobile education, improving access to ICT, e-government and rural development. Starting from a common basis of developing solutions to address socio-economic challenges, each of the case studies demonstrate a unique approach both in the development of the technology platform,
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business model creation and their path for commercialisation. The main focus of this paper is to present the challenges, business model development and key aspects of the innovative solutions. We look at applications aimed at improving access to maths education via mobile devices, applications to support the informal sector, integration platforms to deliver e-government services, a solution for integrated transport management, mHealth applications and a model incorporating social media in a business platform and creating social enterprise. Through exploring these models we examine the essential features which are needed for commercialisation of ICT applications in a developing country context, and highlight the need for development of business models which are robust, innovative and sustainable. The SAFIPA programme took a balanced risk portfolio approach coupling strong technical advice with seed funding, extensive networking and stimulated broader participation in the ICT sector by piloting a pre-incubation programme specifically designed for the Southern African innovation and entrepreneurship landscape.
alternative energy, poverty alleviation etc.) are more difficult, if not near impossible, to access. (e.g. from EU- ACP). Larger grants require/expect multinational regional collaboration with a multi disciplinary approach. This is usually more challenging due to the lack of visibility of African scientists for head hunters from prospective applicants in Europe and elsewhere. Thus, potential/promising partners in Sub Saharan Africa who are not seen are rarely invited to collaborate for competitive grants related to HIV/AIDS. The reasons for lack of exposure/visibility of researchers are usually: Limited national/regional networking (poor attendance at regional/ international meetings due to resources constraints); exposure (ISI rated publications); relevant ICTS support (poor quality web pages) etc. The challenges need to be addressed by Research Managers. There is a need for better and more transparent interaction between universities to interact regionally so as to help identify potential local regional research partners for international collaboration. This paper will discuss some of the potential options for Research Managers in Sub-Saharan Africa to overcome challenges. Options include development of national databases of researchers which can be shared by national and regional Research Managers to identify suitable partners for collaboration
Presenting Author: Naidoo-Swettenham, T Co-author: Miettinen, J Supporting regional innovation systems in Southern Africa
Presenting Author: Alphonsus Neba Towards understanding innovation and innovation chasms in Africa: a rookie’s perspective
The Southern African Innovation Support (SAIS) Programme has been specifically designed to address the development of regional innovation systems. The programme addresses the establishment of innovative processes, partnerships and strategic co-operation between Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia and Namibia with South Africa as the knowledge sharing partner. While regional cooperation is the main driver of the knowledge sharing programme, strengthening institutions and elements of the national systems of innovation will also be a key outcome. Some of the priorities identified are the development and extension of strong multi-helix innovation networks and champions over a wide range of industries, building strong capacities within institutions at all levels, and fostering greater cooperation between companies, academia, public sector and civil society. Managing an innovation pipeline, fostering a culture of innovation, and development of intellectual property regimes and technology transfer models linked with innovation and entrepreneurship is also critical. Developing frameworks and demonstrating that indigenous knowledge systems and grassroots innovation can be harnessed for sustainable development is an additional element of the programme. While some of the sectors which are of importance to the region have been identified as ICT, agriculture, renewable energy, and indigenous biodiversity, the mechanisms developed in supporting these industries will have elements of practice based innovation, strong platforms for knowledge sharing, synergy between countries, and long term sustainability. The SAIS partners invite the participation of the broader innovation community in the region to partner with us and we look forward to replicating and scaling up initiatives which fall within the SAIS mandate.
Much has been researched and published on the role innovation may play in addressing some of the world’s and Africa’s socio-economic challenges. It is therefore no surprise that Africa’s political leadership appears to have taken note of the potential relief innovation may bring to the often dire and pervasive socio-economic circumstances found in most African and third world countries. As such, innovation has become the new ‘feel-good’ word on the African continent and being flagged by all and sundry as the panacea for Africa’s many socio-economic challenges. While acknowledging the potential for innovation to provide significant solutions to Africa’s socio-economic problems, this article argues that the fruits of innovation are a function of a solid foundation and building blocks of national innovation systems. A trademark characteristic of African innovation systems that deserves far more serious attention, but which continues to be circumvented and therefore receiving rather scant attention is what has been described as innovation chasms. As a consequence, African countries are unlikely to reap the full benefits of innovation as a means of addressing their socio-economic problems until the myriad of innovations chasms that grace many African countries’ innovation systems have been significantly addressed.
Presenting Author: Netswera, F Co-author: Humphrey, A Who are the forerunners in our research production? Information intelligence for strategic interventions For most South African universities, competition for limited research support resources, mainly research funding, from among others government, i.e., in the form of research output subsidy and NRF grants, from industries and NGO support is paramount. Ideally institutional research strategies and research support programmes should be informed by good data mining and in turn institutions should invest heavily in those entities that yield the highest return or that have the highest potential future benefit.
Presenting Author: Naik, Y Accessing international grants for researchers in SubSaharan Africa: challenges and possible solutions. Many younger researchers in Sub Saharan Africa are able to access smaller grants (< $ 20 000 p.a.) from a variety of donor organisations. While access to larger grants that involve research on HIV/AIDS are relatively easy to access, those that involve other pertinent issues (climate change, non communicable diseases,
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Assumptions are that what is stated above is not necessarily the case. Instead institutional research focus, targets and research support programmes are usually out of sync with what we postulate to be ideal. This paper critically reflects on the research strategies, strategic targets and research support programmes at UNISA against research earning. Unfortunately the limitation to this review is that only accredited research output data is audited and readily available for the analysis.
Presenting Author: Palane, M The future ICTs in Africa There are two contrasting & different views of ICT being a propellant of economic development in any one nation;
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Enable economic transactions such as e-Banking Improve the well-being of the population such as m-Health Improve governance such as e-Government Increase ICT accessibility such as new wireless protocols Improve agricultural produce while reducing input costs such as e-Agriculture or precision Farming Improve minerals & oil and gas prospecting Be able to help to improve our infrastructure Monitor the environment
The next emerging technologies to watch out for will be in areas of nanomaterials, flexible electronics, lasers, SMART materials, SMART drugs & virtual hospitals, SMART buildings.
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One can hold the view that “technology is technology”. Thus this perception may be called a technologically -deterministic or techno-centric perspective, which focuses on the ICT artefact – principally the hardware and the software. • Alternatively, there is the socially-deterministic view, which regards the technology itself as relatively unimportant. This view sees outcomes as determined largely by pre-existing social structures.
Presenting Author: Patel, N Co-authors: Ferguson,K; Marais, HC A measurement framework for repeat innovation in R&D organisations with specific reference to ICT A significant body of literature on innovation and its impact on economic growth exists but practical implementation thereof to ensure sustainable innovation remains problematic. In addition, no integrated model is readily available that can be applied as a reliable innovation measurement framework that assesses the level of innovation performance of an organisation, diagnosing weaknesses and strengths, identifying interventions, while being amenable to context specific adjustments.
Somewhere in between is what we might refer to as an information systems view. This sees technology at the heart of ICT but then conceives the technology as surrounded by a shell of people and processes within a context of social, economic and cultural factors. This view, for example, explains the failure of some ICT projects in terms of a mismatch between the technology design and the social context.
This paper presents the development of a Repeat Innovation Measurement Framework (RIMF) for measurement and diagnosis of innovation performance in organisations. The Design Science Research (DSR) methodology was applied for its ability to guide the development of a measurement instrument (artefact) and its subsequent evaluation. The awareness phase of the DSR consisted of qualitative analyses of three conceptual innovation models, three innovative companies and two public R&D organisations. These analyses led, in the design phase of the DSR, to the identification of measures of success associated with repeat innovation on the one hand and defining dimensions of innovation to deduce patterns of innovation, on the other. These patterns of innovation were used to identify a set of innovation success characteristics, which formed the core of the RIMF. The evaluation and application phase of DSR validated the RIMF through expert assessments and application to an existing R&D organisation. The paper verifies that RIMF is a reliable and valid instrument that can assist organisations in selecting interventions that promote repeat innovation and enable progress in embedding these measurement characteristics.
It is imperative that future ICT innovation on the continent should touch human lives, in particular African lives. All innovators should look to solving African problems in their ICT research. Furthermore Africa does not exist in isolation and as such, will be affected by a number of global mega are should be taken into account by all ICT innovators. ICT has existed for centuries and been important components of all economic systems. In last 10-50 years there has been the development of techniques for managing, processing and communicating digital information. With Digital ICT information can be; • •
While governments have an important role to play in formulating policy we the researchers need to concentrate on technologies that will;
Duplicated exactly at very low marginal costs Transmitted quickly over long distances at speeds unimaginably rapid.
Thus while prices of telecommunication and many forms of IT are falling, the benefits of having access to them increasing by leaps & bounds, improving cost/benefit ratios and general socio-economics of recipients.
Presenting Author: Pienaar-Marais, M Monitoring, evaluation and reporting by SIT entities: functions and dysfunctions in the NSI
Effective ICT policy has become even more critical to national development. Since ICT has a huge potential to motor economic growth in any nation, it is imperative that political authorities craft excellent policy as exemplified by Government of South Korea. Good and Well developed ICT increases international competitiveness and domestic quality-of-life by delivering larger amounts of economically valuable information.
Researchers, being at the forefront of knowledge production, traditionally found themselves subject mainly to the evaluation of their peers to assess the quality of their work. However, pressures to hold role players in the science system accountable for their performance have increased worldwide since the nineteen eighties. Some reasons include tighter national budgets; the emergence of performance
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Presenting Author: Sarakinsky, I The challenge of innovation and collaboration in the knowledge economy
auditing in the public sector; and emphasis on innovation as return on investment. Consequences of these pressures include stiffer competition for funds; regular monitoring and evaluation; measuring the outcomes of research; and reporting by and to research funders and policy makers.
The dynamic of the global economy in the Twenty First Century is quite different from its predecessors. Perhaps the main feature of the former is the fundamental integration of innovation and research in the development of new products and processes. In earlier times, value was generated through products and processes while innovation and research occurred haphazardly through inventors, eccentrics and scientists. Now, the whole process of research and innovation is seen as an area of value creation in itself, as a driver of new products and processes. This is captured neatly in the name of the company that produces Blackberry phones, RIM. As research and innovation now are the drivers of value creation, the relationships between researchers and innovators has changed. Instead of an open process of engagement, discussion and sharing of ideas and findings, we now see secrecy, intellectual property rights, patents and return on investment structuring knowledge production relationships. The implication of this is a constriction of the knowledge arena, diluting the innovative power of dialogue in the generation of ideas and solutions to problems.
The fairly elaborate monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems for funding and performance organisations are also prevalent in South Africa where government has accepted an indicator approach to monitor and evaluate the outcomes of public spending (cf. Presidency, PMFA). The paper offers an analysis of some current research performance monitoring and reporting instruments and platforms in the South African publicly funded research and research management landscape. The result of relatively elaborate control systems is rather complex, however, since the research system is layered, it is inevitable that monitoring, evaluation and reporting might cross systemic boundaries. The paper offers some examples of potential systemic dysfunctions through content analyses of representative annual reports from the respective layers. Finally, the paper offers possible solutions to reduce dysfunctions in the research management system, including a better understanding of the system, acknowledgement of the unique properties of each systemic layer, and cooperation and feedback between the respective layers.
Presenting Author: Stevens, A The role of academic research in South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovation ecosystem
Presenting Author: Pistorius, T New Innovation Metrics and TTOs
Dr. Stevens will review the US technology transfer experience, examine the difficult economic model for technology transfer offices and discuss the road to sustainability in South Africa.
The link between innovation and economic growth has been discussed many times in several studies in South Africa on the national system of innovation. The core focus used to be research and development spend and the registered patents as outputs. The current trend is to include data on all formal forms of intellectual property protection, for example as expounded in the Oslo Manual and the European Unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Innovation Survey. The paper will reflect on the impact of these innovation measurements on TTOs.
Presenting Author: Straus, J Intellectual property and academic community in a changed global economic environment. The mission of the newly established NIPMO-UNISA Chair for Intellectual Property and its ongoing activities. Basic understanding of science and academic freedom. New world economic order under the WTO and its impact on international protection of intellectual property and economic development. Some empirical data on IP involvement of academic institutions in the US and Europe. MaxPlanck Society as an example for exploiting academic research results â&#x20AC;&#x201C; facts and findings, as well as lessons to be learned. Preliminary observations and concluding remarks based on the recent activities of the NIPMO-UNISA IP Chair.
Presenting Author: Romanowska, E Co-author: Raftesath,D; Truluck, C Practices in technology transfer offices in South Africa: structures, policy approaches and systems Ten years ago there was a handful of technology transfer offices in higher education and research institutions, pioneering technology transfer within the country. Interventions from government funding agencies, and the process to establish the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act have created significant momentum for creation of such offices in the past few years. A range of structural models, intellectual property policy frameworks and supporting systems are in use or being established. Basis visits the authors have undertaken to a number of such offices, and acknowledging the inputs and fruitful discussions held in these interactions, this paper will present a qualitative discussion on different approaches and tease out implications of different approaches, in order to draw out best practices for the benefit of the broader tech transfer office community.
Presenting Autor: Tungande, D Co-author: Marais, HC The role of technology stations in the transfer of technology to SMEs in South africa. An evaluation and new framework The relationship between innovation and economic growth is more or less axiomatically accepted in the research literature. This also forms the point of departure of the White Paper on S&T and subsequent strategies launched by the SA government. One of the processes promoting this linkage is technology transfer, being the process of skill transferring, knowledge, technologies, methods of manufacturing, among governments or universities and other institutions.
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In this process, universities can function as productive facilitators. The Tshumisano Trust was established in 2002 as one of the key instrument as an implementation agency of the Department of Science and Technology to enable universities of technology to provide technology services to small and medium enterprises through the technology stations programme.
the project and part of the piloting of the different modules as well as the successful roll-out of modules.
Presenting Author: Vaughan, K Commercialising medical devices: the challenge of certification
Qualitative (e.g. content analyses of policies and reports) and quantitative research (two web-based surveys of the perceptions of partners and potential clients) was undertaken to evaluate the satisfaction with existing services rendered by Tsumisano on the one hand and to develop a framework for accelerating transfer of technology and innovation to technology-based SMEs, on the other. The results showed that, firstly, a functional NSI is an important precondition for effective technology transfer and secondly that the major stakeholders in the NSI operated in silos, with little to no coordination in the implementation of technology transfer strategy and funding instruments. Thirdly, the surveys showed that the Tshumisano approach of the time was not effective and needed to be improved but that the amended framework of technology transfer which emphasised a dynamic version of the triple helix model.
All medical devices must first clear two regulatory hurdles before being released to the public, the one dealing with the company that manufactures and supplies the device, and the other with the device itself. At CapeRay we have been working steadfastly for the past two years to secure the ISO 13485 certification, an international standard for the design and manufacture of medical devices. Depending on where a companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s markets are around the world, it needs to have this quality system in place for each particular country where it wants to sell medical devices. In July 2012 we received official notification from SGS, our Notified Body, that we had cleared our first hurdle with the award of the ISO 13485. We also succeeded in clearing the second hurdle, the award of the CE Mark for our first medical device, the Pandia digital X-ray camera. The CE Mark is a key indicator of our cameraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s compliance with legislation of the European Union (EU) that relates to the Essential Requirements of the Medical Device Directive, and means that we can sell the Pandia in all 27 countries that belong to the EU.
Presenting Author: van der Vyver, E Intellectual property protection in the ICT industry - the protection of computer implemented inventions (CIIs) The presentation will focus on the various forms of intellectual property protection that are available in the CII space and will focus on software-based patents, the acceptability, patentability and validity of these patents in South Africa and abroad, as well as the practical considerations and implications of obtaining these patents. In addition, the presentation will highlight alternative ways of obtaining IP protection for various aspects of CIIs, including copyright and registered designs.
We have calculated that it cost us almost R1m to secure the ISO 13485 certification for CapeRay and the CE Mark for Pandia. About half this amount paid for regulatory consultants, fees for testing Pandia and the cost of having our company and its first product audited by SGS, while the balance was for the salaries of our own staff.
Presenting Authors: Visagie, R; Johnson, B Co-author: Maritz, J Academic Scholarship development through research coaching and mentoring in higher education: how serious are we?
Presenting Author: Van Rooyen, M Co-author: Pienaar, AM Research Information Management Systems: Is InfoEd (RIMS) the answer? An effective Research Management System is an important tool in the face of technological advancement. It may be defined as an integrated system for gathering data to provide the right information to the right people at the right time. HEI and Research Councils rely on accurate and reliable research information to support strategic planning, manage the research process and improve reporting to external bodies such as funders and the DST.
Research managers are increasingly required to develop scholarship through developmental programmes in a context of serious budget cuts and a thrust for research output. The selection of developmental programmes is driven by the perceived value of the programme in building the research profile of the institution and the future sustainability thereof. Research coaching and mentoring programmes are steadily gaining popularity as a scholarship developmental approach at universities, yet it is often hard to measure the tangible outcomes of these programmes. The success of these programmes depends on the motivations of relevant stakeholders, financial resources and institutional support systems. In this paper we are considering the motivations of multiple stakeholders engaged in a research coaching and mentoring programme at a University of Technology, asking how serious they are in ensuring the success of the programme. We argue that the research manager has a crucial role in facilitating the often conflicting research agendas to increase the success of the programme.
The South African Consortium of Research Institutions was established to guide the implementation of the InfoEd software product to provide a consistent method of reporting to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Higher Education (DHET). It is a wellknown fact that the RIMS (Research Information Management System) Project is a complicated project with many streams and stakeholders. This study (paper/poster) identifies, if the RIMS project provides the solution for Electronic Research Management in South Africa and to define the advantages and/or disadvantages of the project as a solution for technological advancement as well as the challenges of the project. The UFS was instrumental in the successful startup of
A qualitative methodology was followed. Thirty three participants took part in this study over a period of two years, including the research manager, supervisors, external research coaches and mentors, postgraduate students and the administrator. Data were collected
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Presenting Author: Walwyn, D Technology transfer for maximum impact
from interviews, focus groups, reflective letters, observations and field notes. Data were analysed by means of an inductive thematic approach. The data suggested the presence of life-giving and lifeinhibiting programme motivations. A clarion call was made for the research manager to extend her role as a programme champion in enhancing the success of the programme.
Technology transfer in the university environment is a complex interplay between the nature of the technology itself, the expectations of a number of stakeholders as to how and to whom it will provide benefit, the legal framework for the commercialisation of new knowledge created through public funds, and the needs of the market. Technology transfer managers must balance many factors in taking important decisions on the commercialisation strategy for any particular innovation. In this presentation, the author will review several approaches to such decisions, including his own experiences within a small company and research council setting, and provide a few simple guidelines as to how the important decisions can be made.
Presenting Authors: Visagie,R; Johnson, B Co-author: Maritz, J The research manager as a programme champion in research mentorship programmes: a storied inquiry Research capacity development within the context of a University of Technology has unique complexities. It is accepted within the context of research capacity development that the capacity development of individual researchers through workshops and programmes, does not necessarily translate into generating a research culture or output within the context of Universities of Technology. In this research conducted at the Vaal University of Technology into research capacity development, with specific reference to external research coaching and mentoring, a storied inquiry is provided of a research manager in her role as a mentorship champion from 2009 to 2012. The authors describe how this narrative journey informed their respective understanding of the experiences and the role of the research manager in this form of research capacity development. Data were collected from multiple interviews with the research manager, written reflections and conversations within a research coaching and mentoring programme. The themes that emerged included persistent striving towards research capacity development, a quest for sufficient space and opportunity to facilitate the success of such a programme and continued support from relevant stakeholders. Ultimately, the realisation emerged that research coaching and mentoring can add research capacity development towards developing an institutional research culture, but cannot substitute for the institutional clarity, drive, sustainability and internalisation which are all required for the long-term success of such an approach.
Presenting Author: Walwyn, D Portfolio management in a research organisation; money well spent or an unnecessary cost? Research portfolio management is used in many organisations to mitigate the unavoidable technical and commercial risks associated with new product or service development. Although the underlying theoretical basis for the approach is mostly flimsy, empirical observations have noted that portfolios balanced across several dimensions are associated with higher returns. In this paper, the author will summarise his experience of a range of portfolio techniques and provide guidance on how to get maximum benefit from the methodology whilst avoiding the superfluous. The resultant rule set will be of interest to research managers from both performance agencies (who manage in-house R&D projects) and funding agencies (who routinelt allocate resources to a range of external performers).
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