Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Arts, Culture, Science and Technology

Transcription

1 Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Arts, Culture, Science and Technology 6 September 2002 Foundation for Education, Science and Technology an Agency of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology

2 Science that is dependent on public funding cannot be conducted in isolation from the community. Therefore science awareness is a critical lever in ensuring science meets society s goals. The Chance to Change, Australian Government Report, November 2000

3 One of the major challenges facing developing countries is to make science and technology an essential part of the culture of the people. Eduardo Martinez, Uruguay at Unesco World Conference on Science, Budapest, 1999

4 The 3 pillars of the NSI Supply of Researchers INNOVATION Political Support Societal Support An adequate supply of young people to lead research and innovation in the future Support for science and technology among the country s leaders and top decision makers Broad public support of and confidence in science and innovation

5 FEST Focus Areas Science and technology for tomorrow focused on the youth Science for decision makers politicians and other leaders Science for all communities and society at large

6 FEST 1999 Bankrupt R2 million Debt Auditor General refers issue to Public Accounts Committee in Parliament Public Protector open 4 dossiers Pending cases in Labour Law Court Vacuum of financial & human resources procedures and structures FEST against Minister in court

7 FEST 2002 Expenditure exceeding R30 million Adequate reserves Restructuring of programmes Compliance with regulations and legislation 5 Auditor General Audits (since ) Entrepreneurial management of building

8 Financial Strength Independency Ratio External Income as % of total income ORGANISATION YEAR PERCENTAGE PANSALB % Northern Flagship Institution % National Research Foundation % Medical Research Council % CSIR % FEST %-80%

9 ESKOM FEST Support Programme for Schools R45 million over 3 years

10 Pan African Mathematics Olympiad

11 Your impressive efficiency, great competence and diligence in all you undertook made it possible to overcome the handicap of the very limited time available caused by the late withdrawal of Senegal, for the organisation of this scientific event. It is clear that South Africa is able to play a leading role with regard to preparations for mathematics competitions, and the infrastructure that already exists should serve as example for many countries on our continent. Professor Nouzha El Yacoubi Chairperson of the Commission for the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (African Union for Mathematics) Morocco

12 Archimedes

13 Archimedes has brought a vibrant and cutting edge to interdisciplinary work in promoting public understanding, awareness and appreciation of science and technology and has at the same time superimposed itself as a leading educational magazine Dr B S Ngubane Minister of Arts, Culture, Science & Technology 25 June 2001

14 Deputy Ministers visit FEST From right : Deputy Ministers Bridgitte Mabandla (Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology) and Ntombazana Botha (Department of Provincial and Local Government) with Dr Anastassios Pouris in the FEST Museum of Science and Technology. The Deputy Ministers paid an informal visit to FEST on 2 October 2001

15 StarLab

16 SciQuest modules

17 Science for decision makers Policy inputs Curriculum 2005 University Funding Formula Submission to SA Industrial Policy in Parliament Publications Science & Parliament Report Science and Government Embassies Science Forum

18 FEST s recommendations incorporated into Curriculum 2005 Learning area Initial time allocated FEST s proposals Revised Curriculum Statement Languages Mathematics Natural Science

19 Museum s Embassy Day 27 March 2002 From left : Mr Patrick Le Forte, Science Attachė at the French Embassy, Mrs F Selmane, Algerian Ambassador, and Dr Anastassios Pouris in the Museum of Science and Technology.

20 SADC Visit to FEST

21 Embassies Science Forum June 2002

22 Non-White Professional Staff as % of Total Professional Staff 60% 53% 50% 40% 30% 25% 23% 20% 20% 17% 10% 0% FEST Research Council A Research Council B Research Council C Research Council D

23 Total Female Staff as % of Total Staff Composition 60% 57% % 40% % 20% 17% 10% 0% FEST Research Council A Research Council B Research Council C Research Council D

24 Non-White Staff as % of Total Staff 60% 55% 52% 50% 40% 42.4% 39.3% 30% 20% 10% N/A 0% FEST Research Council A Research Council B Research Council C Research Council D

25 FEST: The Future The Foundation for Education, Science and Technology (FEST), which is the implementing agency and funded by my Department, has been appointed as the lead agency to develop the PUSET programme, including the science centre network, in South Africa. Dr Ben Ngubane, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology 21 June 2001

26 For the national system of innovation to become effective and successful all South Africans should participate. This requires a society, which understands and values science, engineering and technology and its critical role in ensuring national prosperity and a sustainable environment. This, in turn, requires that science and technology information be disseminated as widely as possible in ways that are understood and appreciated by the general public White Paper on Science and Technology

27 The FEST building is becoming the Intellectual Hub of the country

28 The 3 pillars of the NSI Supply of Researchers INNOVATION Political Support Societal Support An adequate supply of young people to lead research and innovation in the future Support for science and technology among the country s leaders and top decision makers Broad public support of and confidence in science and innovation

29 Dual support system at schools DoE Desperate need to improve mathematics and science performance DACST SCHOOLS Targeted at mathematics & science educators Strategic placement of resources

30 Utilise existing infrastructure for the promotion of public understanding of science & technology Research Councils Museums, zoos, botanical gardens, etc FEST Universities & technikons

31 Life Cycle of FEST BUDGET YEARS

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33 Any Questions?