|
The 1996/97 annual report of the Human Sciences Research Council
(HSRC) reflects a consolidation of many of the initiatives begun in previous
years, a refinement of recently developed management systems to ensure quality
research, and the HSRC's responses to the new challenges and growth opportunities
presented in 1996/97.
"Much of the past year was spent
on evaluating the HSRC's structures, activities, operations, projects and services
with a view to creating a more streamlined, effective and efficient research
institution. On the recommendation of external experts, some research projects
were halted, many secondary services were terminated and new research directions
were identified, with the result that there was a realigning of the HSRC's expertise,
capacity and resources into other areas of relevance", Dr Rolf Stumpf,
President of the HSRC, states in the report.
SOME OF THE RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS AND NEW INITIATIVES OF
THE PAST YEAR
-
The school register of needs
project (conducted under the auspices of a consortium comprising
the HSRC, the Education Foundation and the Research Institute for Education
at the University of the Orange Free State) established a national database
that records a set of data for each of the 32 000 schools in the country
(p12).
-
The Third International Mathematics
and Science Study (TIMSS) provided the first comprehensive picture
of mathematics and science education in South Africa. Further information
will become available as more detailed analyses of the data are made. Clearly,
TIMSS results should contribute much to the process of transforming the
education and training system in the country (p12).
-
The Programme for Development
Research (PRODDER) gathers and disseminates information on all South
African development issues and role players to provide a comprehensive,
relevant and dynamic information service to individuals and organisations
concerned with development (p15).
-
The HSRC register of graduates
was initiated in 1965 and contains biographical information on approximately
470 000 graduates, including their qualifications and occupations. The information
can be accessed directly from the database which is used extensively for
research purposes and to provide private sector companies, employment agencies,
educational institutions and government departments with information on
graduate labour market trends (p17).
-
In 1996/97 the constitutional
development research programme examined the implications of the new
constitution in the South African context. It provided an in-depth analysis
of the functioning and performance of the Government of National Unity,
the process of decentralisation and the dilemmas faced by local government
(p21).
-
In its first year of operation the National
Programme of Action for the Improvement and Monitoring of the Quality of
Life of Children, Youth and Families undertook a study based on an
analysis of almost 5 000 reported cases of child abuse to investigate the
incidence and patterns of child abuse reflected in these cases. Researchers
also participated in the development of a national child protection strategy
together with the Department of Welfare's Group on the Prevention of Child
Abuse and Protection against Neglect. As a way of informing this strategy,
a national opinion survey of 2 000 South Africans was conducted to determine
the public's perceptions of child abuse. This survey was vital because the
successful implementation of policies and preventive strategies depends
on the public's willingness to report and intervene in cases of child abuse
(p26).
-
The Centre for Science Development
(CSD) started work on a new database on the submission
requirements of major South African and international journals in
the human sciences. Two other databases were also launched during 1966,
namely one on the different research methodology programmes
offered by the various universities and technikons in South Africa, as well
as a database containing the biographical profiles
of women researchers in the country (p37).
PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING EMPLOYMENT EQUITY
The HSRC is one of the few science councils, if not the only one, to have set
specific targets, deadlines and clear monitoring strategies within the framework
of a formal policy on employment equity.
Audits conducted by the organisation's Human Resources Development group indicated
that the main problem facing the HSRC in its endeavour to create a more representative
organisation was a high level of staff turnover, especially among the previously
disadvantaged groups. The main reason stated for resignation was low salaries.
At the end of April 1997 38% of the HSRC's 524 staff members were black and
62% white. This represents an increase of 6% in black staff over the past two
years. Women made up 17% of management and 62% (17% black and 45% white) of
the total staff complement.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The HSRC uses its parliamentary grant for activities that focus on national
needs. The organisation's project management procedures require that every project
proposal that requested parliamentary funds had to be evaluated in terms of
its anticipated contribution towards meeting a societal need before funds were
allocated to it.
One hundred and sixty-four project proposals were approved during the 1996/97
financial year. One hundred and twenty-four projects approved in the 1995/96
financial year were continued or combined into larger projects. Forty-one projects
were successfully completed during the past year, while in excess of 109 reports/books
and 16 psychological/educational tests were produced. Increased emphasis was
placed on multi-year projects.
In pursuit of the HSRC's science development objectives and more specifically
its research capacity building, 1 922 scholarships for postgraduate studies
were awarded for full-time or part time studies at South African universities
or technikons. A further 31 prestige scholarships were awarded for doctoral
studies with enrolment at universities abroad. During the course of 1996 grants
of up to R100 000 were offered for the first time to the historically black
universities.
The HSRC's turnover for the 1996/97 financial year was R125,2 million and the
organisation recorded a net surplus of R4 million. This surplus can be attributed
mainly to contract income that exceeded the budgeted figure by R3,3 million.
|
