Address by the Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, on the occasion of the NRF-DST Internship Research day held at the Cape Town University of Technology (CPUT), Belville Campus
Programme Director;
Dr Prinsloo Nevhutalu, CPUT Vice Chancellor; I wish you every success in your new position as Vice Chancellor of CPUT
Dr Joe Molete, Founder of the Joe Molete High Performance Centre;
Dr Pillay, NRF Deputy CEO;
Dr Morosi, representative from SASOL;
Dr Johann Groenewald, representative from SARIMA Mentors;
Our valued Interns.
It is a genuine pleasure to be part of this Research Day, which marks the official completion of your year-long internship.
One of the things that makes it a pleasure is the sheer satisfaction of presiding over the evolution of such a successful programme. When the National Research Foundation - Department of Science and Technology (NRF-DST) internship programme began in 2005, it involved less than 50 interns. Since then the programme has grown 11 fold to 568 interns graduating this year. The number of host institutions has grown from 16 in 2005 to 77 host institutions this year. The NRF-DST interns have now become part of the R&D landscape.
In 2011, when I had occasion to participate in the Research Day, I asked whether it would be possible to increase the number of host institutions from the private sector, which in that year was only four. It is immensely pleasing to learn that this year there were 15 or so private sector host institutions. We are definitely moving in the right direction, although I’m sure we would all agree that we could do even better.
Another important consideration is what these internships accomplish relative to their stated objective. The official rationale for this programme is that it provides some unemployed graduates with a bridge to cross to gainful employment or further studies. And in this, it has been a resounding success. Or, a good story to tell, as we hear so often these days. Of last year’s internship graduates, more than 40% entered employment shortly after the internship was over, and another 29% pursued further studies. Close to 70% found further opportunities through the internship process. This is a good record.
Of course, these numbers tell only part of the story – the other part of the story relates to the actual achievements and quality of work which the internship process brings to the fore. I’ve had a brief look at your abstracts for today’s presentations. And I can tell you, it is nothing less than a thrill to be surrounded by so much young talent. It is clear that these internships are providing exactly what they are meant to, namely experience at the coal-face of knowledge creation.
So, what now? As with last year’s graduates, many of you will soon enter the world of work, while many others will resume your studies, earning higher degrees. Ultimately, my guess is that many of you will go back and forth between work and study over the next several years, or straddle both. And even when you leave your studies behind you once and for all, you will keep learning, you will continue to stretch yourselves. This is as it should be, because science and research are among the most demanding apprenticeships on this planet.
You are still near the beginning of what is very likely a lifetime’s vocation. Let us not pretend it will always be easy. What I have learned these last several years in working with the community of scientists, researchers, and knowledge workers, is that it is not the easiest life, but it is surely one of purpose and therefore most satisfying. I could say in fact that it is a privilege. Not only because there are many young people in a similar situation to you, who have not had this opportunity. And not only because we have invested so much in you, nor because you have been in an, environment which comes with great expectations. Rather, I would say you have been privileged because science and research are such worthwhile and stimulating pursuits.
In fact, short of being a politician, a career in science or research is probably your best chance to make a positive difference to society. It is South African scientists and researchers like yourselves who recently invented a digital laser, the implications of which might one day be felt across the many medical and engineering applications where laser technology plays a role. It is thanks to the dogged determination of R&D workers like you that a South African researcher recently invented a photo-voltaic film of unprecedented thinness. Scientists like yourselves are presently working to develop and refine other clean energy technologies, such as hydrogen-based fuel cells and more efficient electricity storage options, which together will help us extend electricity to remote settlements.
It is researchers like yourselves who might make the big breakthrough and develop a vaccine for HIV. And it is social scientists, as some of you are, who have done so much to help us understand the social challenges associated with the HIV/AIDS epidemic, including the stigma attached to it. Of course there is nothing stopping you from being a scientist and a politician!
What we want from you is to always ask the hard questions, keep learning, and make your contribution. We will be watching you both because we care about you, but also because we will need the stats to know if this intervention is successful. We are also scientists!
To the mentors, I’m sure that for most of you my thanks may seem superfluous. You have participated in the other side of the apprenticeship equation, and you have been enriched. Nevertheless, I do want to thank you. Without committed mentors, this internship programme would not be possible. More generally, without people, like yourselves, who are prepared to give generously of your experience and expertise, we would not be able to engage in building a knowledge-based society.
Thanks to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology for hosting today’s event, and thank you to the many host institutions that are represented here today. And finally, I would like to express a special word of appreciation to the NRF for its diligent work in initiating and coordinating these internships.
In closing, I wish you all the very best in your careers. I trust that what you have learnt in the last year will give you wings to soar to greater heights. Charles Darwin once observed that “It’s not the biggest or the brightest that survives but those who adapt the quickest”. I trust that you will be amongst those who adapt the quickest wherever your career takes you.
Thank you.
