Anati Canca, General Manager of Science Platforms and Human Capital at the Department of Science and Technology. Dr Rob Drennan, Director of the NRF's Central Grant Management Unit. Pictured at the event, ltr - Prof Robin Crewe (UP), Dr Rob Drennan (NRF), Prof Anton Ströh (UP), Phil Hendricks (CSIR), Gerrie Mostert (CSIR), Prof Chabani Manganyi (UP), Anati Canca (DST), and Prof Roelf Sandenbergh (UP).

An opportunity to attract and retain qualified researchers in a new research space in the country is at the crux of the Department of Science and Technology's (DST) newly launched South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI). The rationale and status of this initiative was discussed at a SERA Networking Breakfast held at the CSIR International Convention Centre in June this year.

Guest speakers, Anati Canca, General Manager of Science Platforms and Human Capital at DST and Dr Rob Drennan, Director of the Central Grand Management Unit at the National Research Foundation (NRF), were invited to share information about SARChI with SERA participants.

Canca spoke about the context for the development of human capital from a DST perspective, giving listeners an overview of the National Research and Development Strategy and DST's strategic human capital instruments, which include the Research Professional Development Programme (PDP) and the Innovative Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

In presenting the background, current status and future perspective of SARChI, Drennan indicated that the intention is to reverse the systemic decline in research outputs, focus and capacity at publicly funded higher education institutions, Science Councils and other research institutions. He emphasised that as a national initiative, SARChI is aimed at stimulating strategic research across the knowledge spectrum.

Round 1, for which there have been three calls for proposals, will provide funding for 55 Chairs. The expected result from the first two calls is the nomination of 20 by the end of July this year. According to Drennan, a strategic balance between retaining and attracting qualified researchers is imperative for the initiative to support the creation of new research space in South Africa. "We need to build a growth imperative. The main drive is to get new people in. We don't just want a reshuffling of the pack", he said.

While Chairs will be awarded to suitably qualified candidates irrespective of nationality, race or gender, there are measures to ensure that the initiative addresses historical racial, gender and age imbalances. According to the SARChI criteria, where candidates are not young, black or female South Africans, higher educations institutions must develop a succession plan with incumbents to ensure that a range of possible candidates with competitive capacity are developed within two cycles of a South African Research Chair award.

Drennan added that SERA and other similar initiatives were ideal platforms for strengthening and improving capacity at Science Councils and tertiary education institutions to generate and apply new knowledge. "The link with UP's higher education environment makes the SERA collaboration a good place to spawn a Research Chair", he said.

In his update on SERA activities, Phil Hendricks referred to highlights such as new international partnerships, including the SERA Water Task Team's collaboration with Georgia Institute of Technology to form a graduate education Institute for water and energy resource management and the Royal Society funded Legume Improvement Project (LEGIM).

Hosted by the SERA Relationship Managers - Prof Robin Crewe of UP and Phil Hendricks of the CSIR - the SERA networking events create opportunities for participants and associates to stay abreast of SERA activities, informed about current and relevant S&T issues and networked with colleagues and partners.

Presentations by the guest speakers are available by clicking on their names Anati Canca, DST and Dr Rob Drennan, NRF.