Inclusion of science, technology and innovation by sector departments as part of the Innovation for Inclusive Development (IID) Seminar Series held on Zoom. This process report is a product of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in collaboration with the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) on the Innovation for Inclusive Development (IID) seminar series. The Academy virtually hosted the Uptake of Science, Technology and Innovation by Sector Departments seminar on July 20, 2022, as part of the IID seminar series.
The Innovation for Inclusive Development (IID) seminar series is one of the instruments designed to inform and influence the adoption of innovation and technologies demonstrated by other departments of the sector. The objective of the event was to share the preliminary report and recommendations based on the analysis of policy documents and a survey of twelve (12) sector departments. Prof Pouris, the principal investigator, gave an overview of the study commissioned by the DSI.
This was in line with the main policy aims of the IST White Paper to foster a whole-of-government approach to innovation.
THE UPTAKE OF STIs AND STI SOLUTIONS IN PROGRAMMES AND POLICIES: CASE STUDY
DHS was in the process of improving procurement processes to encourage the use of ABTs in the counties and metropolitan municipalities. Alternative technologies chosen must be sustainable in the South African context, and take into account costs over the entire life cycle, including energy efficiency and maintenance. A few years ago, DHS developed a conceptual framework for innovation in the human settlement sector.
Research was conducted on indigenous knowledge systems and alternative technologies in the provision of people's housing in rural areas. Working with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), DHS investigated the use of wood as the preferred construction material in the human settlements sector, particularly in response to disasters.
Q&A AND DISCUSSIONS
They argued that the technology of the house (building technologies, materials and processes) is related to the technology of the neighborhood (innovative building systems and processes), which in turn is related to priority residential development areas. All DHS planning systems were going digital, including multi-year housing development plans and human settlement development grant plans. This would allow DHS to monitor what provinces are planning and implementing in real time.
DHS, in collaboration with CSIR, had recently launched the ten-year Roadmap for the Human Settlements Sector. In collaboration with the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), DHS was exploring the use of biomass concrete. This could result in biomass concrete becoming the construction material of choice for government projects.
When a company had a tender with the province, the material of choice would be biomass concrete. Provinces will not be forced to use biomass concrete; however, it will be labeled as an innovative product manufactured by the government and offered to other government sectors as an option for materials sourced from the private sector. Dr Ntsibane Ntlatlapa (CSIR) asked what the status of digital planning systems was, and how the absence of a data sharing framework affected that work.
Mr Bonani Madikizela (WRC) noted that the use of biomass concrete is an example of the circular economy. He asked if DHS would be interested in investigating the use of excavated sediment from silted ponds and estuaries. Dr Jennifer Mirembe (NDHS) replied that the CSIR had invited the DHS to work with them in a working group to continue research into the potential of biomass concrete.
THE UPTAKE OF STIs BY SECTOR DEPARTMENTS: REPORT FINDINGS PRESENTATION
- Do you think STI is relevant in your Department’s policies and workplans?
- Do you monitor the incorporation of STI into your policies and planning?
- What are the constraints in incorporating STI in your policies?
- Has your department integrated or adopted any STI aspects in its workplan?
- Do you monitor the incorporation of STI into your programmes, activities or interventions?
- Has your Department integrated or adopted any aspects of South Africa’s STI policies in its policies, planning framework, or workplan?
- Does your Department have a dedicated budget towards STI-related programmes? Indicate the approximate amount for R&D, and for innovation
- Does your Department have personnel or a dedicated unit working on STI?
- Does your Department have human or infrastructural capabilities to incorporate STI in your policies and workplan?
- Does your Department monitor local policies and international good practice?
- What policies can improve coherence in the policies and programmes of your Department with the innovation policies and programmes of the DSI?
The review briefly examined the development history of various countries and highlighted the role of technology and innovation in the development of the East Asian Tigers (Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan). China – The rise of science and technology: In the 1960s South Africa had produced far more S&T publications and patents than China, which at the time had produced almost none. Premiers Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping announced that S&T was one of the four forces of modernization in the world and should be supported.
Prime Ministers' involvement in the S&T system addressed issues of coherence and alternative approaches. It should be remembered that the Chinese Premier is also the Chairman of the Communist Party. They were willing to spend more money on science and technology, even at the expense of the other drivers of modernization, such as agriculture.
Some were not aware of the project, and a surprising response was that: "We have not received any notice to incorporate STI into departmental policies." The research team found it interesting that civil servants claimed they were not informed about the efforts of other government departments. What policies can improve the alignment of your department's policies and programs with DSI's innovation policies and programs. The research team's view was that S&T would not grow under the current conditions (DSI STI White Paper).
Although he accepted that a number of government departments used the research councils to support their activities, he did not see an investigation into how these councils and other state-owned organizations contribute to the welfare of the country. Prof Anastassios Pouris (Quantitative Evidence Research) replied that the purpose of the review was to provide strategic direction without focusing on specific players. Coordination of the budget, which was necessary because South Africa never reached its investment target of one percent of GDP invested in R&D, meaning the country underperformed.
They were unable to attend most of the meetings, but had been closely following what eThekwini was doing. Prof. Anastassios Pouris (Quantitative Evidence Research) did not recognize the name of the Center, but noted that if this meant that there would be different centers conducting different studies, this would be useful.
FEEDBACK FROM SECTOR DEPARTMENTS: RESEARCH STUDY PARTICIPANTS
Prof Anastassios Pouris (Quantitative Evidence Research) said that peer review requires certain qualities that are not available in the civil service. There was an initiative called Operation Phakisa, and commitments to carry out coding and robotics, and skills for a changing world. In the past two years, however, the focus has recovered from the Covid-19 lockdown.
The learning loss resulting from the disruptions of the previous two years was equivalent to a full year of teaching. In the DBE context, new technologies should be used to the extent that they promote better educational outcomes. Dr. Melusi Thwala (ASSAf) noted that because infrastructure development was not fully under the control of the DBE, it was a major challenge for the Department to provide such services to schools, resulting in the inequalities that became more apparent during the Covid-19 period. .
Dr Melusi Thwala (ASSAf) asked if there had been progress in upgrading some of the schools that had been more seriously affected since the restrictions. Dr Stephen Taylor (DBE) replied that the vast majority of schools were extremely negatively affected, with the most affluent ten per cent slightly less affected. There have been efforts to zero-rate educational websites, digitize textbooks and make online learning opportunities available.
Dr Ntsibane Ntlatlapa (CSIR) noted that following Operation Phakisa, there were a number of ongoing meetings with National Treasury, DCDT and DSI, partly to address issues related to educational ICT and connectivity. He asked if this coordination mechanism continued after Operation Phakisa and how the Education Sector could benefit from what was learned from this collaboration. Another focus of Operation Phakisa was e-administration and colleagues in the Education Management and Information Systems (EMIS) department worked on a modernized, online administration system for South African schools.
WAY FORWARD CONCLUDING REMARKS
In terms of the way forward, DSI was finalizing how the findings and recommendations could best be framed. This may involve expanding the study to more departments to ensure that the findings were even more rigorous and that the recommendations addressed everyone. Noting that the CPSI had not been considered, he stated that when the study was expanded, it would need to include all stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem, especially in governance.
The participants' input would be taken into account and the draft report would be circulated to confirm its contents.
ANNEXURE A: LIST OF ACRONYMS
MoU Memorandum of Understanding MSF Mathematics, Science and Technology MTSF Medium-term strategic framework NACI National Advisory Council on Innovation NDP National Development Plan.
ANNEXURE B: LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Sibu Mawonga Kutaa Bishaanii fi Qulqullina (DWS) Bekubuhle Mbentse Kutaa Bishaanii fi Qulqullina (DWS) Hayley McKuur Kutaa Qubsuma Namaa Biyyaalessaa. Mphikeleli Mnguni Kutaa Ispoortii, Aartii fi Aadaa (DSAC) Portia Mnikati Kutaa Saayinsii fi Kalaqaa (DSI) Joyce Mokobi Waajjira Ministira Muummee: Bulchiinsa Limpopo. Benny Molefe Faawundeeshinii Qorannoo Biyyaalessaa (NRF) Thabiso Molemohi Biiroo Istaandardii Afrikaa Kibbaa (SABS) Thato Morokong Kutaa Saayinsii fi Kalaqaa (DSI) Tshepang (Mr) Mosiea Kutaa Saayinsii fi Kalaqaa (DSI) Palesa Mothapo Stellenbosch University (SU).
Mark Napier Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Phumzile Ncube University of Johannesburg (UJ). Ntsibane Ntlatlapa Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Andrew Okem University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Ephraim (Mr.) Phalafala Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) Letlotlo Phohole University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Prof) Pouris Quantitative Evidence Research/UP Sibongile Radebe Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).
Renate Venier Academy of Sciences of South Africa (ASSAf) Hilton Vergotine Agricultural Research Council (ARC). Henriette Wagener Academy of Sciences of South Africa (ASSAf) Lindsay Wicomb City of Cape Town.
