University of the Free State

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University of the Free State

• University Research Committee Meeting
• 4 June 2004

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Strategic Priorities, Challenges, Projects and
Actions 2004 - 2006

• Quality and excellence
• Equity, diversity and redress
• Financial sustainability
• Regional co-operation and engagement
• Outward thrust nationally and internationally

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Actions Identified
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Visual Perspective of the Research Strategies

ONTWIKKEL N NAVORSINGSKULTUUR DEUR N
STRATEGIESE FOKUS OP NAVORSINGSONTWIKKELING Versek
er sinergistiese navorsingbeleidsriglyne,
doeltreffende strategieë en n strategiese begrip
van die navorsingsomgewing, met n personeelkorps
wat deurslaggewende veranderings en nuwe
benaderings in die universiteitsomgewing (beide
nasionaal en internasionaal) verstaan en aanvaar.
GEHALTE- VERSEKE- RING
FINANSIëLE VOLHOUBAARHEID
STEUN- STELSELS
UITSET DIMENSIE
BILLIKHEID
Die effektiewe verhoging van inkomste uit
eksterne bronne deur die projeksie van n
navorsingsgeoriën-teerde beeld van die
Universiteit
Verseker n internasionaal kompeterende
navorsingstelsel deur gebruik te maak van
navorsers van hoë gehalte en doeltreffende en
gehalte-opleiding aan nagraadse studente
Ontwikkeling van die navorsings-kapasiteit van
prioriteitsgroepe
Die effektiewe verhoging van inkomste uit
eksterne bronne deur die projeksie van n
navorsingsgeoriën-teerde beeld van die
Universiteit
Stimuleer navorsing en verhoog navorsinguitsette
deur effekteif gebruik te maak van interne fondse
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Development of a Research Culture

• Monitor external and internal environmental
  factors and assumptions, as well as policy
  directives and policy-making which may influence
  research at the UFS.
• Launch studies to gain an understanding of the
  research environment, for example, obstacles and
  disincentives with regard to research, lack of
  time, requirements for development of
  infrastructure.
• Develop policy directives and strategies to
  strengthen research, in collaboration with other
  role-players (soil health).

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Development of a Research Culture (cont.)

• Launch a study of current policy-making in order
  to determine the degree of synergy with research
  policy/ strategy and structure
• Ensure strategic information systems which supply
  information for policy renewal (University
  Office) Aldo en Anna-Marie (9.4)

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University Office (UO)

• Comparative study of SA Universities research
  systems University Office
• UKZN, UCT, UFS (Unisa, UP, US)
• Windows-based, dynamic input system
• records data in an interpretive way for research
  information management purposes at universities
• provide complete monitoring, evaluating and
  strategic management capabilities of research
  data
• Will assist in answering complex strategic
  questions in terms of research and all its
  components, based on integrated data sets
• Part of these data sets are drawn from
  PeopleSoft, with the rest from direct input by
  identified persons.

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UO (cont.)

• The system was installed at UFS during the period
  10 12 May
• Guided by a task team approved by the two
  Academic Vice-Rectors, which included Management
  Information and IT representation
• Customization of the system takes place between
  June and December 2004, co-insiding with training
  and detailed information sessions
• It is planned that the system will be active from
  January 2005

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UO (cont.)

• At UCT for example In the 12 months of the next
  financial year (Jan to Dec 2002) the value of
  contract research processed by the office
  increased by 40 and the number of contracts
  processed increased by 33, with 20 fewer staff
  employed

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UO (cont.)

• Way forward
• Consultative process with Deans and Research
  Committee Chairpersons for the identification of
  an optimal structure for data provision/
  capturing/ input
• Training of these identified persons
• Final integration with UFS system and input of
  baseline data

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Quality Assurance

• Create a culture of good study guidance and
  mentorship, with suitable training and
  incentives.
• Ensure that study guidance is carried out only by
  proven researchers with a track record of
  research outputs.
• Put mechanisms in place to increase outputs from
  post-graduate students.
• Eenheid vir Retoriese en Akademiese
  Skryfvaardighede/ Sentrum vir Nagraadse Studie
  Annelize
• Navorsingsmetodologie Skryf van
  Navorsingsvoorstelle, projekbeplanning,
  mentorskap/ leiding, monitering en assessering
• Akademiese skryfvaardighede
• Vertaling en taalversorging
• Statistiese adviesdiens
• Bystand met die verkryging van studiebeurse
• Handleiding vir jong navorsers
• Create and use mechanisms to attract
  exceptionally good research leaders or, in cases
  where such leaders are present within the
  University, strongly support and accord
  prominence to them (NRF-rated).

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Equity and Capacity Building

• Stimulate a research culture in faculties and
  departments through regular seminars,
  discussions, debates, etc.
• Induce target groups and their managers to
  identify, and assume ownership of, strategies.
  Identify the needs of managers and develop
  appropriate strategies.
• Monitor and evaluate results and make adjustments
  where necessary.
• Arrange training opportunities, bring in
  expertise in order to assist researchers with the
  understanding of principles and the writing of
  research proposals Annelize (8, 22 June)
• Enhance participation in Thuthuka and URDP
  Annelize

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13
5
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Financial Sustainability

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• Put mechanisms in place to optimize research
  subsidy (output dimension) and NRF funding

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2 of Research Outputs
6.5 of Research Outputs
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103
81
69
27
61
50
39
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Mechanism to Increase NRF Funding

• The following procedures for funding of research
  in 2005 was approved (9.1)
• Applicants in need of funding for projects are
  encouraged to apply for funding at NRF
• Candidates whos applications are successful, but
  who received a smaller amount awarded, will
  through the UFS Strategic Fund, receive a
  contribution
• Candidates whos application were unsuccessful,
  will receive conditionally a percentage grant
  from the UFS Strategic Fund
• Candidates who did not apply within the NRF for
  funding will only be considered in highly
  exceptional cases for funding by the UFS
  Strategic Fund
• Centres of Excellence (US, 2 Wits, 2 UCT, 2
  UP, 1)
• Online System problematic (9.1), ISL (separate
  agenda item)
• Future strategic and operational framework
  discussion
• NRF and UFS Executive 26 July 2004

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• Put mechanisms in place to make use of a variety
  of foreign "grantmaking organisations (e.g. the
  NIH, the EU, NSF, IDRC, Nepad and other foreign
  foundations) Aldo

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Nepad and EU PF6

• Nepad New Partnership for Africas Development
• EU PF6 European Unions Sixth Programme
  Framework
• Strategic Initiatives for UFS
• Regional and global players
• Framework development
• Opportunities for Universities within the Nepad
  Framework
• Funding Opportunities and Linkages within EU PF6
  for Developing Countries
• Strategic Research Funds Opportunity-, network-
  and proposal development for UFS

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• Increase the number of local and international
  postgraduate students (with the focus on
  research), inter alia through the mobilisation of
  bursaries and the allocation of assistantships.

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Average Period of Study

• Masters Doctorals
• Years 3.39 4.81

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• Contribute to strategic marketing publications
  and focus on research in University publications
• Research Report

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• Universitys commitment to research through
  funding

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Financial Turn Strategy

• Implement in 2001
• Minimum threshold value
• Publication output higher than threshold
  qualifies for additional incentives
• Strategic research funds

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• Exploit the potential of third-funding-stream
  income by placing a much greater emphasis on
  meaningful policy directives and effective
  implementation of contractual research,
  management of intellectual capital (rather than
  of intellectual property) and commercialisation
  of innovative research (Directorate
  Entrepreneurship).

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• Develop a strategic focus on community directed
  research in order to effectively utilise sources
  for development (Chief Directorate Community
  Engagement)

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Support Systems

• Motivate and train staff to create user-friendly
  systems and effective service, and to accept
  ownership thereof (University Office, Research
  Toolbox).
• Monitor the systems periodically in order to
  create a culture of improvement
• Highlight research achievements on a continual
  basis in University publications and marketing
  activities (Research Report, Web, other strategic
  marketing opportunities).
• Create formal opportunities within the University
  for recognition, by the top management and peers,
  of research achievements (Public recognition
  function to co-inside with Honorary Doctorate to
  NRF President)

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Output Dimension

• Ensure effective mechanisms for the use of the
  financial incentives to increase research
  outputs.
• Ensure effective mechanisms for the allocation
  and utilisation of the special awards for young
  researchers, in particular, for local and
  international conference participation.
• Put mechanisms into operation in order to ensure
  that congress papers are converted into
  publications.
• Ensure effective strategies in order to make time
  available for research or for the authoring of
  publications.
• Ensure effective mechanisms for the allocation
  and utilisation of funds for post-doctoral
  fellows, post-graduate bursaries and assistance.

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137.5
113.8
52.5
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26.1
14.2
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Complementary Elements of the Support Service for
Research Development

• Strategic decision wrt Natural Sciences vs
  Humanities
• NRF SSLH Initiative (Annelize)

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Complementary Elements of the Support Service for
Research Development (cont.)

• Revising of internationalization
• Upgrading and professionalizing activities with
  respect to Entrepreneurship (and
  Commercialization)
• Post-graduate bursaries and awards must be
  identified, and must be strategically managed and
  co-ordinated in a better way
• A need to revise the Research Committee System,
  to establish a conceptual and strategic approach
  to research (follow-up strategic planning
  session)

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The Overall Objective of the Directorate
Research Development

• In collaboration with Faculties, create an
  environment at the University of the Free State
  in which
• research will improve and flourish
• researchers and post-graduate students feel that
  they are valued
• the Universitys profile is enhanced, both
  nationally and internationally as a research-led
  University