The Highlights and Achievements and Performance Review sections in the 2004 SERA Annual Review reflect the continued growth and good progress achieved by the activities undertaken under the SERA banner.

SERA Relationship Managers, Phil Hendricks of the CSIR and Prof Robin Crewe of UP, recently strongly affirmed the continued vitality of SERA as an inclusive, cooperative relationship between the CSIR and UP in the form of jointly functioning Project and Task Teams and the ongoing creation of technology platforms, such as the ACGT.

"Rumours surrounding the perceived 'demise' of the Alliance should be put to rest. These speculations may have resulted from the misconception that SERA (the Alliance) and SERA Pty (Ltd) (initially established as the commercialisation arm for the Alliance) are one and the same. They are not. The latter - now known as the CSIR IP and Commercialisation Office - may no longer exist, but SERA, the Alliance, is actively moving forward and continues to add value to all parties involved", according to Hendricks and Crewe.

"The confusion may also relate to the SERA brand having been adopted by SERA (Pty) Ltd and to the Alliance being referred to as the UP/CSIR or CSIR/UP relationship. The banner under which the related activities operate is SERA and this should be used in reference to all matters related to the Alliance."

And contrary to speculation in this regard, the changes within the UP and CSIR - spurred by the national reconfiguration of institutions of higher learning and the CSIR's Beyond 60 process - have served to enhance SERA's ability to contribute to national and regional priorities in science, engineering and technology.

The CSIR's Beyond 60 process, for instance - which has refocused the organisation's core activities to performing relevant, directed research and transferring the knowledge that is generated through technology and skilled people - will add value to the initial rationale for establishing the Alliance, namely to attract and retain the best people, support the National System of innovation and apply knowledge and resources to all aspects of the SET value chain.

Key outcomes of the repositioning in both organisations are the renewed R&D focus that feeds into the research and innovation value chain, and opportunities to create more S&T platforms. This adds to the synergistic relationship between the Alliance partners by creating further opportunities for students to find careers within the CSIR.

Both Relationship Managers are extremely positive about the future of SERA, confirming that the changes in both organisations will continue to strengthen the Alliance. In fact, 2006 should see a renewed focus on exploiting synergies and reducing overlaps to complement the initiatives of all SERA participants.