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International Council for Science Regional Office for Africa (ICSU ROA)
Vision
- Excellence in science is to be linked to policy making and to the sustainable socio-economic development in Africa
- Equitable access to scientific data and information; and establishment of scientific capacity that may be used to contribute to the production of new scientific knowledge for the sustainable benefit of society.
Mission
In order to strengthen international science for the benefit of society, ICSU mobilizes the knowledge and resources of the international science community to:
- Identify and address major issues of importance to science and society;
- Facilitate interaction amongst scientists across all disciplines and from all countries;
- Promote the participation of all scientists-regardless of race, citizenship, language, political stance, or gender-in international scientific endeavour;
- Provide independent, authoritative advice to stimulate constructive dialogue between the scientific community and governments, civil society, and the private sector.
Objectives
- To assist ICSU and its members in their strategic planning for activities in Africa and ensure that their plans and activities are well linked to the science community in the region, relevant networks and organisations and reflect Africa's priorities;
- To facilitate the expansion and active membership of ICSU to institutions in the African countries, where ICSU does not yet exist.
- To provide support and help with co-ordination, if needed, to scientific networks in the region and initiate new networks, where this has been identified as a regional priority; and assist the ICSU family in identifying scientists for membership of committees;
- To facilitate the free flow of scientists and scientific knowledge across the borders; and promote the participation of African scientists in activities of the ICSU family and its associated partners such as UNESCO, TWAS and NEPAD;
- To ensure efficient information transfer from ICSU and its family members to the scientific community in Africa; and the collection and dissemination of any valuable scientific information for Africa;
- To promote and facilitate capacity building in Africa, including support for post-graduate training programmes for young scientists; and the procurement of educational and research facilities;
- To promote and facilitate the mobility of African scientists within the continent; including organization of regional and international interdisciplinary science programmes; conferences; and the exchange of professional visits;
- To promote and facilitate the development of indigenous and traditional knowledge and skills;
- To promote and facilitate the formation of scientific societies and academies within the continent; sub-regional partnerships on the continent; and the establishment of a database of African experts in all science fields;
- To promote the principle of universality of science and science ethics; and
- To promote and facilitate the application of science for accelerated socio-economic development of the African continent.
National Research Foundation (NRF)
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The objective of the National Research Foundation (NRF) is to support and promote research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary research facilities, in order to facilitate |
the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of the natural and social sciences, humanities and technology. In so doing, it contributes to the improvement of the quality of life of all the people of the country. The organisation was established in 1999 . |
As the government's national agency responsible for promoting and supporting basic and applied research as well as innovation, the NRF upholds excellence in its investments in knowledge, people, products and infrastructure. The NRF provides services and grants to support research and postgraduate research training, vital to the development of South Africa. It is the NRF's vision to be a key instrument in the creation of an innovative, knowledge-driven society where all citizens are empowered to contribute to a globally competitive and prosperous country.
Funding from the NRF is largely directed towards academic research, developing high-level human resources, and supporting the nation's national research facilities. The NRF's task is to advance research in all fields of the humanities, social and natural sciences, engineering, and technology; including indigenous knowledge. For details kindly visit http://www.nrf.ac.za
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