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Have we got what it takes? WHEN CONSIDERING the wide base of skills and research centres resident in the developed world, it is difficult to believe that South Africa could compete for a significant portion of research and development funding.

Nevertheless, the Royal Society - the UK`s national academy of science - believes otherwise, having played host to many of South Africa`s and Britain`s most talented scientists at a `South Africa Day` event recently, allowing Minister to express his desire to take the relationship with the country`s scientific community to `a higher and even more vibrant level`.

Speaking at the event, the minister commented: "Science and technology continue to evolve at an astonishing pace. For the SA-UK collaboration to build from the solid foundation laid in our history, we need to invest at all levels of human capital development. It is within this context that we can continue to explore increased collaboration in areas such as indigenous knowledge systems, advanced manufacturing, energy and climate change research."

CHALLENGES TO BE ADDRESSED

However, the minister also acknowledged that there are still challenges that need to be addressed in order for South Africa to reach its potential. And foremost amongst these, is the decline in South Africa`s R&D workforce.

Professor Ramesh Bharuthram, dean of Wits University`s faculty of science, explains: "South Africa`s universities are battling to hold onto students in the face of lucrative public sector demand, but initiatives are being put in place to address the decline. This includes universities committing to becoming research-driven; government assigning 1% of GDP to research by 2008; and the private sector getting more involved with educational institutions."

However, HP SA`s CEO, , says that it is our pipeline of future students that needs to be addressed. And her views are based on a simple premise - a bigger skills pool will allow more people to pursue research interests.

"I have no doubt that South Africa holds the potential to become an international science hub; however, we need to beef up the quantity and quality of skills in the market - and this needs to take place [already] at school level," she explains.

While views vary depending on which side of the argument the person sits on, the one constant seems to be that government, educators and the public sector need to consolidate and focus efforts.

Says Mokgosi-Mwantembe: "Cur-rently we have pockets of activity that land up duplicating efforts because there is little communication between the various sectors and centres. In this respect, the needs to drive communication among the parties so that we can all ascertain what is actually needed and drive our efforts in a coordinated and consolidated manner."

INNOVATION CRITICAL TO ECONOMIC GROWTH

And even if international competitiveness is removed, the fact remains that research is critical to the local community.

Says Dr , CEO of the Innovation Hub Management Company: "In the coming decades, the intellectual property of this country is going to be a fundamental ingredient of competitiveness. Clearly we need to do a great deal more to create and sustain competitive advantage in the international market place."

So, slim pickings from which to make a judgment. Encouragingly; South Africa has already proved its ability to take the international market by storm. For proof, look only to the banking sector with its spread of locally developed offerings; the telecoms sector with its prepaid offerings; and who conquered South Africa, the world and finally space.

So maybe we have it within us after all!

Tags: Global  Competitiveness