Abstract:
The National Research and Development (R&D) Strategy of Department of Science and Technology (DST) developed in 2002, rests on three pillars:
• Innovation
• Science, engineering and technology (SET) human resources and transformation
• Creating an effective government S&T system
Based on the second pillar a big challenge lay ahead of building human capital of previously disadvantaged communities in South Africa. What constitute the present human resources are the ageing Afrikaner males and transformation was needed. In line with these the DST launched in 2005 the DST Professional Research Development Programme focused at five Science Councils aimed at addressing the accelerated development of a group of scientists and research professionals at Masters and PhD Level with the following aims:
• To attract and retain young scientist and professional of high calibre
• To support young scientists and professionals in applied research and promotion of innovation
This paper looks at the success of this programme at one Science Council, Agricultural Research Council in 2005/6. Whereby by supporting 30 candidates with a stipend, mentoring and exposure a lot was achieved to an extend that the programme was funded again. It exposes literature review, Questionnaire analysis and the results.
• Innovation
• Science, engineering and technology (SET) human resources and transformation
• Creating an effective government S&T system
Based on the second pillar a big challenge lay ahead of building human capital of previously disadvantaged communities in South Africa. What constitute the present human resources are the ageing Afrikaner males and transformation was needed. In line with these the DST launched in 2005 the DST Professional Research Development Programme focused at five Science Councils aimed at addressing the accelerated development of a group of scientists and research professionals at Masters and PhD Level with the following aims:
• To attract and retain young scientist and professional of high calibre
• To support young scientists and professionals in applied research and promotion of innovation
This paper looks at the success of this programme at one Science Council, Agricultural Research Council in 2005/6. Whereby by supporting 30 candidates with a stipend, mentoring and exposure a lot was achieved to an extend that the programme was funded again. It exposes literature review, Questionnaire analysis and the results.