Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Search
START TYPING AND PRESS ENTER TO SEARCH

Centres of Excellence

DSI - NRF Centres of Excellence

Funding Instrument of the RCCE

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and National Research Foundation (NRF) Centres of Excellence (CoEs) are physical or virtual centres of research that concentrate existing research excellence and capacity and resources to enable researchers to collaborate across disciplines and institutions on long-term projects that are locally relevant and internationally competitive in order to enhance the pursuit of research excellence and capacity development. The DSI-NRF CoE Funding Instrument was launched in 2004 with the establishment of seven CoEs. Since then, three additional CoEs were established between 2009 and 2013 with five new CoEs established in 2014. The five key performance areas of the CoEs are: Research/Knowledge Production; Education and Training; Information Brokerage; Networking; and Service Rendering. Over the past decade the Steering Committees for each of the CoEs have played an important steering and oversight role in ensuring the success of the CoEs.

DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Integrated Mineral and Energy Resource Analysis (CIMERA)
The Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Integrated Mineral and Energy Resource Analysis (CIMERA) was launched on 24 April 2014 at the University of Johannesburg. The CoE focuses on the integration of leading academic research with strategic applications in wealth generation and human resource development in South Africa as well as the rest of Africa. This CoE generates knowledge that helps in ensuring that a proper alignment of activities within the South African Government’s strategic focus on mineral and fossil fuel resources. The CoE also focuses on the origin, distribution and character of Earth mineral and fossil energy resource systems with the aim of ensuring their sustainable utilisation not only in South Africa but Africa as a whole. Professor Nic Beukes (UJ), the Founding Director, stepped down at the end of 2018, and was succeeded by Professor Nichola Wagner (UJ). Professor Judith Kinnaird (Wits) remains the Co-Director.
Visit Website
Research Nugget
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development (CoE Human)
The DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Human Development (CoE-HUMAN) was established in 2014 and is the only Centre of Excellence established in the human and social sciences. It takes human development to be the processes, on an individual and social level, towards fulfilment, not only of basic needs but of values including freedom, security, achievement and belonging. From this point of view, human development refers simultaneously to the development of individuals across their lifespan from conception to death; inter-generational development through families, and socioeconomic development of individuals and groups through interactions with, among others, state provisions and supports. Like other DSI-NRF Centres of Excellence it was established to pursue research excellence by focusing existing research excellence, capacity and resources to enable researchers to collaborate across disciplines and institutions on long-term projects that are locally relevant and internationally competitive. The four thematic areas of the CoE-Human intend to bring together individual and social perspectives on human development. They are: • Life-course development, • Inter-generational development, • Socioeconomic development, and • Transformational development. The Centre is under the directorship of Professor Shane Norris.
Visit Website
Research Nugget
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (FS)
Launched on 15 April 2014, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Food Security is co-hosted by the University of the Western Cape and the University of Pretoria. It was established in the context of changing food systems facing ecological, social, economic and physical challenges and its focus is on the generation of energy and knowledge to improve access to sustainable and sufficient amounts of nutritious food for poor, vulnerable and marginal populations. The research the CoE will undertake will identify science-based programme interventions and policy mechanisms which will help South Africa in overcoming food insecurity and to ensure sound and good nutrition for it citizens. This centre is under the directorship of Professor Julian D. May.
Visit Website
Research Nugget
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy (SciSTIP)
The DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy, launched on 03 April 2014, is co-hosted by the University of Stellenbosch and the Tshwane University of Technology and housed in the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST). The work done by the CoE focuses on the sociology of science, science policy issues and knowledge production in higher education. Its work will lead to improved decision making in STI policy and consolidate the national information systems in science and technology in South Africa. The CoE is led by Professor Johann Mouton.
Visit Website
Research Nugget
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (MaSS)

The DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (CoE-MaSS) was launched at the University of the Witwatersrand in April 2014. Mathematics and Statistics, being the backbone of science, engineering, technology, and innovation development, are critical to South Africa’s National System of Innovation and to South Africa’s future as a competitive, knowledge-based economy. The Centre brings together pure mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics researchers from 24 Node Institutions around South Africa, under 12 key Focus Areas.

The Centre focuses on advancing cross-disciplinary research topics and developing national capacity in the scarce fields of mathematical and statistical sciences. Our mandate relates to Research, Education and Training, Information Brokerage, Service Rendering, and Networking. The Centre also hosts and funds events throughout the year. Prof Bruce Watson is the Director of the Centre.

Visit Website
Research Nugget
GENUS (DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences)
We are GENUS. Knowledge centre. Network leader. Explorer. GENUS is a collective knowledge hub and inclusive network for Palaeosciences in South Africa. Dedicated to studying the origins of species, we see beyond the science to inspire researchers and citizens to find meaning in the past and inform our decisions for a better future. With South Africa’s unmatched fossil and archaeological record at our feet, we enable ground-breaking discoveries that move Palaeosciences forward, encourage cross-discipline collaboration, and make knowledge accessible to all. Through our broad international and local network, we provide access to a valuable repository of tools, information, funding, technology and support. This empowers emerging researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and postgraduate students to further their research, grow their network and contribute to discovering sustainable solutions for society and the environment. The CoE is led by Professor Bruce Rubidge.
Visit Website
Main Website
Research Nugget
The National Institute for Theoretical Physics (NITheCS)
The DSI-NRF National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS), established in 2008, is jointly hosted by Stellenbosch University (SU), the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). NITheCS is located in the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies (STIAS) building. NITheCS seeks to sustain a stimulating theoretical physics research. The Interim Director is Professor Franscesco Petruccione.
Visit Website
Research Nugget
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA)
The South African Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Epidemiology Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), established in 2006, is hosted by the University of Stellenbosch. SACEMA uses mathematics to understand, predict and ultimately combat diseases. The Centre is under the Directorship of Professor Juliet Pulliam.
Visit Website
Research Nugget
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in HIV Prevention (CAPRISA)
Young women in South Africa have among the highest rates of HIV infection in the world. The Centre of Excellence (CoE) in HIV Prevention aims to identify the risk factors responsible for these high rates and to develop new technologies and strategies to reduce the spread of HIV in women, especially young women, in South Africa. The Centre is under the Directorship of Professor Salim A Karim.
Visit Website
Research Nugget
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Plant Health Biotechnology (CPHB)
The DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Plant Health Biotechnology (previously Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology) at the Forestry and Agriculture Biotechnology Institute (FABI) was established in 2004 and is hosted by the University of Pretoria. The CoE seeks to concentrate on understanding and combating diseases affecting South Africa’s plants and trees. The Centre is under the Directorship of Professor Emma Steenkamp.
Visit Website
Research Nugget
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research (CBTBR)
The DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Biomedical Tuberculosis (TB) Research (co-hosted by the University of Cape Town, University of Stellenbosch and the University of the Witwatersrand. This research CoE contributes to local and global research efforts that are aimed at developing new tools for controlling tuberculosis and to use the research as a vehicle for training a new generation of high-quality biomedical research scientists. The CoE is under the Directorship of Professor Bavesh Kana
Visit Website
Research Nugget
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Catalysis (C*change)
The DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Catalysis, established in 2004, is hosted by the University of Cape Town. Research at this CoE focuses on chemical catalysis mainly for the conversion of gas liquid fuels and for downstream processing that adds value to bulk chemicals. The CoE is under the Directorship of Professor Michael Claeys.
Visit Website
Research Nugget
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence Birds as Keys to Biodiversity Conservation
The DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Birds as key to Biodiversity Conservation at the Percy Fitz Patrick Institute, established in 2004, is hosted by the University of Cape Town. The CoE is committed focusing on understanding and maintaining biodiversity using birds as indicators. The CoE is under the Directorship of Professor Peter Ryan
Visit Website
Research Nugget
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Material (SM)
The DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Strong Materials was established in 2004 and is hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand). ThisCoE studies hard materials, metal alloys, metal oxides, ceramics, diamond-like materials and composites including carbon nanotubes. Strong materials retain their distinctive scientific and applied properties under extreme conditions and have established or potential commercial applications. The CoE is under the Directorship of Professor Lesley Cornish.
Visit Website
Research Nugget
DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology (CIB)
The DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Invasion Biology was established in 2004 and is hosted by the University of Stellenbosch. The CoE is concerned with the biology of invasive species, with special emphasis on the impact that invasive species have on southern Africa’s biodiversity, agriculture and eco-tourism. The CoE is under the Directorship of Professor Dave Richardson
Visit Website
Research Nugget
Close
Search

Hit enter to search or ESC to close