NSTF Event Presentation
At the recent National Science Technology Forum (NSTF) event, Ms. Jetane Charsley, Head of the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the "Innovation Ecosystem – Areas to Celebrate and to Improve On."
Drawing from her extensive career in intellectual property and her passion for translating research into real-world impact, Ms. Charsley highlighted the critical role of research in driving South Africa's socio-economic development. She underscored the progress made in increasing research output and expanding the academic workforce but also addressed persistent challenges that hinder the nation's full potential.
Nine Key Themes Explored
- The challenges of securing sufficient research funding.
- Limited support from policymakers and governance issues.
- Inadequate research infrastructure and resources.
- Gaps in training and mentorship for emerging researchers.
- The need to align research with sustainable innovation goals.
- Career development for young minds in the research field.
- Addressing brain drain in critical research areas.
- The importance of collaboration and networking.
- Barriers to commercializing innovative research outcomes.
Building a Stronger Innovation Ecosystem
Ms. Charsley's insights emphasized the need for a collective effort between government, academia, and industry to strengthen South Africa's National System of Innovation (NSI). By addressing these challenges, she advocated for a supportive ecosystem that encourages groundbreaking research, fosters collaboration, and ensures impactful commercial outcomes from publicly funded R&D initiatives.
This conversation is vital as South Africa seeks to enhance its global competitiveness and harness the power of innovation to solve pressing societal challenges.
