THE MINISTER


CABINET MEMORANDUM: PRESENTATION OF SHORTLIST OF NEW NRF BOARD MEMBERS FOR DISCUSSION WITH THE MINISTER 0F EDUCATION AND THE RELEVANT COMMITTEES OF THE NATIONA ASSEMBLY AND THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

INTRODUCTION

1. In an earlier submission, No T0825, an Advisory Panel was appointed compile a shortlist from the nominations received by the Department Science and Technology (DST) to assist you in appointing the Boa members of the National Research Foundation (NRF) (Annexure A). The Advisory Panel met on the 12 January 2005 to consider the nominations received.


2. The aim of this submission is to –

    1. Advise you on nominations for a Chairperson and Board Members of the NRF based on the shortlist compiled by the Advisory Panel; and
    2. Further the process for appointing the new NRF Board Members in terms of consulting with the Minister of Education, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee and the Select Committee on Education and Recreation.


DISCUSSION

  1. Section 6 of the National Research Foundation Act, 1998 (Act No. 23 of 1998) (Annexure B) makes provision for the establishment of a Board consisting of:-
  1. A chairperson, appointed by the Minister of Science and Technology;
  2. Not fewer than nine but not more than eleven other members, appointed by the Minister, after consultation with the Minister of Education, as well as the relevant committees of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces; and
  3. The president of the NRF by virtue of his or her office.


4. The functioning of the Board requires expertise regarding, inter alia, the various disciplines of research and technology, research and technology management, business, public affairs and civil society. In addition, Section (6) (4) of the Act states that members are appointed in their personal capacities, but the Minister must ensure that they are broadly representative of the following sectors: tertiary education, business, agricultural and environmental sciences, health sciences, natural sciences and engineering, social sciences and humanities and civil society.


5. The Advisory Panel also considered the following additional criteria in the shortlisting process: gender, broader management, financial expertise, governance, current critical areas in the natural sciences environment, science policy and research environment, representation of higher education institutions, and geographical spread of representation.


6. The Advisory Panel shortlisted the following 15 candidates as potential NRF Board Members: