Since its inception in 2005, government has invested over R1.1 billion in the programme, which is managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF). The main goal is to strengthen the country's universities to produce high quality postgraduate students, research and innovation outputs.
In awarding the new Chairs, special consideration was given to the universities of technology, rural based institutions and those that have not participated in the programme. This focus has resulted in a major shift in the way the Research Chairs were allocated.
Minister Pandor said she was confident that these awards would improve South Africa's international research and innovation competitiveness while responding to the socio-economic challenges facing the country.
The Chairs will be awarded to the various institutions during the 2011/12 and 2013/14 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, bringing the number of Research Chairs in South Africa to 154.
University | Total no. of Chairs awarded |
---|---|
University of the Western Cape | 7 |
Stellenbosch University | 6 |
Tshwane University of Technology | 6 |
Rhodes University | 5 |
University of Cape Town | 4 |
University of Pretoria | 4 |
University of Johannesburg | 4 |
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | 4 |
University of the Witwatersrand | 3 |
University of KwaZulu-Natal | 3 |
University of the Free State | 3 |
North-West University | 2 |
Cape Peninsula University of Technology | 2 |
University of Venda | 2 |
University of Limpopo | 1 |
University of South Africa | 1 |
University of Fort Hare | 1 |
Central University of Technology | 1 |
Durban University of Technology | 1 |