The Institute for Economic Research on Innovation (IERI) at Tshwane University of Technology has been chosen to co-host the DST-NRF CoE in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy, together with the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) at Stellenbosch University. This latest Centre is one of five new CoEs announced this year by Science and Technology Minister Mr Derek Hanekom and brings to 14 the number of CoEs created since 2004 by the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation (NRF).
Delivering the keynote address on the 3rd of April, Minister Derek Hanekom welcomed the launch of the CoE remarking that: "This CoE must build on our existing capacity in scientometrics and innovation policy; it must foster additional capacity and take our ability to understand and fine-tune our innovation environment and policy to a new level. In a sense, this new CoE lies right at the heart of the mission of the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation. This is really a very exciting moment for our National System of Innovation".
The ceremony was attended by Prof Lulama Makhubela; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Post Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation), TUT; Prof Robert Rugimbana; Dean: Economics and Finance, TUT; as well members of IERI research team: Prof. Mario Scerri, Dr Lindile Ndabeni and Dr Erika Kraemer-Mbula. Other IERI members unable to attend were Dr Rasigan Maharajh, Dr Sanya Osha, Prof Fred Gault and Prof Claes Brundenius.
See the full video of the launch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvxYTGcizTs&feature=youtu.be
