Users of Department of Science and Technology web-based research tool meet to share best practices
Users of a DST web-based research tool meet to share best practices

Users of the Integrated Research Information Management System (RIMS) will meet for the first time in a conference, to share the best practices in implementing this web-based research management tool.

Details of the event
Date: 8 March 2011
Time: 09h00
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria

This one-day conference is expected to provide an opportunity for discussions on wider strategic issues related to system intelligence and informed policy-making.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched this web-based research management tool in 2008, to provide real-time information on human resources for science, engineering and technology, research and development (R&D) capacity and technology improvement and innovation.

The system has been designed to capture statistical information on R&D activities by universities, science councils and other government R&D funding agencies. This enables government to source reliable information at these entities for policy making and the monitoring of the Science & Technology capacity and research productivity.

The DST has already transferred R56.63 million to the National Research Foundation (NRF) since 2007 for the implementation of the project, and already, eight historically black universities that did not have a research management system can now afford one.

In addition, six universities reported research outputs to the Department of Higher Education and Training with aid of the RIMS research outputs module. 

The project is also contributing to human capital development as 17 interns have been deployed to the various institutions this financial year. Some of these interns were absorbed by these institutions.

The RIMS project is divided into two phases: the implementation and the maintenance phases. The project is currently in the implementation phase, which will be completed in March 2012. 

The implementation phase’s purpose is to get all 23 universities and nine science councils to join the RIMS consortium. It is also to have all the modules customised, piloted and tested for South African conditions and then implemented by the participating consortium members.

There are currently 19 universities and nine science councils that have joined the RIMS consortium. All these institutions are implementing the modules at varying stages. The rest of the universities will continue using their legacy management systems whilst providing the required data into RIMS.

The DST Director-General Phil Mjwara will open the conference which will be attended by information technology and research experts, deputy vice-chancellors of research, executive directors of science councils and potential users.

For media enquiries:
Veronica Mohapeloa
Cell: 082 882 3818

Zama Mthethwa
Cell: 082 808 3956