Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
School of Engineering
Institute for Technological Innovation (ITI)
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
In assessing South Africa’s research profile and performance vis-à-vis the rest of the world for the last ten years it is clear that the country's research activity is losing ground to scientifically emerging countries in Asia, South America and Europe. The decline during the period 1990/1995 to 1996/2000 is across the board with the exception of social sciences and humanities that exhibit a 19% increase over the period; natural science and engineering declined by 17,1% and life sciences by 13,3% during the period.
Wanneer Suid-Afrika se navorsingsprofiel en -prestasie vergelyk word met die res van die wêreld oor die afgelope tien jaar is dit duidelik dat Suid-Afrikaanse navorsingsaktiwiteite afneem en dat lande soos Asië, Suid-Amerika en Europa veld wen op wetenskaplike gebied. Die afname oor die periode 1990-1994 tot 1996-2000 kom voor in al die vakrigtings, behalwe die sosiale wetenskappe en geesteswetenskappe, wat oor die periode 'n 19% toename getoon het; natuurwetenskappe en ingenieurswese toon 'n afname van 17,1% en lewenswetenskappe van 13,3% vir die periode.
Contact person: Prof A Pouris.
The issue of tax R&D incentives is currently under consideration by the National Advisory Council of Innovation (NACI). In research on the fiscal policies and social benefits of the South African R&D tax incentives scheme the country’s fiscal environment was compared with those of 24 other countries. It was found that the fiscal component of the innovation system compares unfavourably with the conditions offered in the rest of the world. Consequently it follows that local companies will find it more profitable to undertake R&D activities in countries offering more favourable conditions, SMMEs will not be able to undertake innovative activities with adverse effects on their mortality and their ability to compete internationally, multinationals will avoid South Africa as a place of siting or undertaking their R&D activities, and scientists and technologists will find better employment prospects abroad.
Contact person: Prof A Pouris.
In the article 'Assessing Public Support for Biotechnology in South Africa', (Pouris, A., SAJ of Science 99, Nov-Dec 2003) the support for biotechnology by the public in South Africa is identified and assessed. A multi-criteria approach is utilised and the author examines the trust in science and technology, the consumers’ attitudes towards biotechnologies, the public’s knowledge of the field and the press’ predisposition towards science. It is argued that while a positive climate prevails currently, the indecisiveness of consumers towards biotechnology coupled with their minimal knowledge of the field and their high trust in the press and television makes this climate sensitive to possible mishaps and accidents.
Contact person: Prof A Pouris.
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