De studiereis
Reis programmaOnderzoeksprojecten
Projectgroep 1 Projectgroep 2 Projectgroep 3 Projectgroep 4 Projectgroep 5ReisverslagThuisblijversinformatieWeekplanningVoorbereidingenProjectgroep 3 Onderzoek
Project 3: Elroy Jumpertz, Bob Klaase, Jeroen Schutte en Daan Pijper
Research question
The research question to be answered is formulated as follows:
Is ICT research in South Africa oriented on long-term or on short-term solutions and how is this orientation affected by public interest?
These questions are divided into sub-questions. These are:
1. What organizations are empowered to influence the choice between long-term and short-term orientation?
a. Where does the funding for research come from?
b. What geldstromen (cash flows) can be identified?
c. Is the choice between long-term and short-term even a conscious one?
2. What stakeholders benefit from a long-term orientation? (white elite, the military, …)
3. What types of long-term oriented subjects (e.g. foundations of Computer Science) are considered less useful when looking at the needs of the country?
Interviewing
The main method for getting answers on the research questions is by interviewing persons in South Africa that have particular knowledge in the fields of interest. The following parties are expected to be especially valuable:
Parties
NRF
Responsible for the distribution of government funding, the National Research Foundation (NRF) dictates the fields in which research is conducted. It can be compared to NWO or STW in the Netherlands. The NRF has three main functions :
• To support research and innovation, through its agency, Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA)
• To encourage an interest in science and technology through its business unit, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA)
• To facilitate high-end research through its National Research Facilities
In its prospect for 2015, the NRF aims to invest in a healthy balance between strategy-driven and demand-pulled approach .
To consider this strategy of the NRF, it is useful to discuss with someone the strategy and the relation between the NRF and universities (mainly the funding of research). There was contact with Mr Envor Moeng, who probably welcome us at the NRF.
Interview questions
• What methods are being used to guide the direction of research?
• What are your current points of interest / current agenda?
• Why is there a focus on these particular points?
• Whose interest do you represent (universities, the people, etc.)?
• What does the balance between long-term and short-term orientation look like, and is this a conscious choice?
• Which problems, possibly to be solved by research, are currently being considered the most urgent ones?
• Which role does ICT research play in the abovementioned issues?
University of Pretoria
The primary location where research is conducted, as well as a training facility for future researchers, the university is on the receiving side of government funding. It is expected that the university has its own vision on national research strategy. By interviewing researchers of the University of Pretoria, the aim is to find out whether the university itself undertakes any actions to favor long-term over short-term oriented research, or vice versa. If the situation occurs that the university has certain goals for which NRF funding cannot be acquired, are their alternatives to still be able to conduct this research (for example: a cooperation with companies or humanitarian organizations)?
Interview questions
• What does the balance between governmental and industrial research funding look like?
• Does the University of Pretoria have a research program of its own?
• When research is conducted by order of a company, is the researcher allowed to freely publish his or her findings?
• Can you name some examples of currently active long-term/fundamental research projects within the university? Which short-term/practical research projects are currently active? Who are the initiators?
Companies
It is common that large (international) companies have their own research and development division. To get a complete overview of the ICT research in South Africa, such a company should be consulted.
Interested topics are the collaboration between the company and a university/student(s) and the objectives of the research (for own application or for society).
Interview questions
• What current ICT research are you involved in, and what is your interest in it?
• When talking about ICT research, are there any differences in approach in South Africa, as compared to the West?
• Are you involved in any research that is specifically targeted at South Africa?
• Do you fund or otherwise facilitate external research programs, for example at universities or by means of internships?