As universities burned and student protesters faced off against police and private security, the Department of Science and Technology launched its research infrastructure road map last week. Road maps plan for the future — not where universities and researchers will be next month or even next year, but in 15 years’ time. SA had about 18,000 researchers in 2013-14, and it wants more. Universities are the major generators of new knowledge in SA, and there’s a link between research output and economic development. But to develop further cohorts of researchers — in the sciences and humanities — equipment and infrastructure is needed to train them. It is no use having an increase in qualified postgraduates and researchers if their equipment is old and obsolete. The country’s research infrastructure road map is a first for an African country. "World-class research infrastructure is the basis for building competitive knowledge-based activities," Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pando...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.