Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, launched the new Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STI) Policy at Stellenbosch University.
Stellenbosch University was awarded the opportunity to host the DST-NRF CoE in Scientometrics and STI Policy, bringing to four the number of CoEs hosted by the university. The other three CoEs are the CoE for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research; the CoE for Invasion Biology; and the CoE in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Hanekom welcomed the launch of the CoE remarking that: “The irony is this: while scientometrics played an important role in encouraging government to initiate the CoE programme, it is only now that the programme is introducing a CoErelating to scientometrics – however, rather late than never. It therefore gives me great pleasure to participate in the launch of this new CoE in Scientometrics and STI Policy."
He added: "This CoE must build on our existing capacity in scientometrics and innovation policy; t must foster additional capacity and take our ability to understand and fine-tune our innovation environment and policy to a new level. In a sense, this new CoE lies right at the heart of the mission of the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation. This is really a very exciting moment for our National System of Innovation."
Speaking at the launch, the CEO of the National Research Foundation, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld said “As the managing agency of the DST-NRF Centres of Excellence, we extend our congratulations to Stellenbosch University on the launch of this new DST-NRF CoE in Scientometrics and STI Policy.
We are confident that this CoE will not only lead to the advancement of knowledge and human capital development, but more importantly it will help to increase the efficiency of our country's use of its knowledge resources. Through the production of high quality, research-based evidence, this Centre of Excellence will lead to improved decision making in Science, Technology and Innovation policy.”
The DST-NRF CoE in Scientometrics and STI Policy will be housed in the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST). CREST was established in January 1995 as an interdisciplinary research centre of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of Stellenbosch University. Since the late 1990s the work has focused more on the sociology of science and science policy issues and, more recently, also on knowledge production in higher education.
CREST will be the lead host, with the Tshwane University of Technology co-hosting. The Centre for Higher Education and Transformation and the Centre for Science and Technology Studies of the University of Leiden will be partners.
Prof. Johann Mouton, Director of CREST, explained, "Four main thematic areas have already been identified for the new CoE. These are: Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (the quantitative measurement of science); STI Policy for Development; Human Development for STI; and Science Communication, Evaluation and Impact.”
“In addition to its research priorities, the CoE will strengthen and expand its master's and doctoral programmes in science and technology studies and consolidate national information systems in these areas” added Prof Mouton.
Prof. Eugene Cloete, Vice Rector: Research and Innovation of Stellenbosch University, said, "The award recognises the expertise of Stellenbosch University and is in line with the university's Institutional Intent and Strategy, which aimsto identify and focus on areas of research."
Expertise in the field of scientometrics/bibliometrics and STI is fairly scant in South Africa and receives limited attention in terms of training and capacity development. The CoE in Scientometrics and STI Policy will foster and enhance collaboration among the existing experts and researchers and build more human capital for STI policy formulation and review, as well as STI measurement, development and usage, and improve the general understanding of the interaction between scientific development and the economy.
For more information please contact:
David Mandaha
Department of Science and Technology
Cell: 072 126 8910
Email: David.Mandaha@dst.gov.za
Palesa Mokoena
National Research Foundation
Cell: 083 494 2322
Email: palesa.mokoena@nrf.ac.za
Martin Viljoen
University of Stellenbosch
Tel: 021 808 4921
Email: viljoenm@sun.ac.za
