Today, 16 April, 2026, at 14:00 at the National Research Foundation Building, CSIR Campus, Pretoria, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof Blade Nzimande, will launch 41 new Research Chairs.
The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) was established in 2006 by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI).
SARChI seeks to attract and retain excellence in research and innovation at South African public universities through establishing Research Chairs with a long-term investment trajectory of up to 15 years.
This cohort of 41 Research Chairs is a deliberate and strategic shift to build equitable research capacity, enhance excellence and broaden impact across the country's public universities.
At a strategic level, this intervention aligns with the objectives of the DSTI's Decadal Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation (2022-2032) and also serves as an important milestone for strengthening research capacity in South Africa.
The media are invited as follows:
Date: 16 April 2026
Venue: NRF Building
South Gate, CSIR Complex
Pretoria
Time: 14:00
Enquiries:
Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson to the Minister
Mr Veli Mbele
Cell: 064 615 0644
E-mail: Veli.Mbele@dsti.gov.za
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