African Institute of SA Annual Report: briefing
Science and Technology
17 October 2006
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Meeting report
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
17 October 2006
African Institute of SA ANNUAL REPORT:
BRIEFING
Chairperson: Mr E Ngcobo (ANC)
Documents handed out:
African Institute of South Africa Annual Report 2005/2006 presentation: Part1, Part2, Part3 & Part4
African Institute of South Africa Annual Report 2005/2006 (available later on www.ai.org.za)
SUMMARY
The Committee was briefed by the African Institute of South Africa (AISA)
on their activities in African social scientific research over the 2005/2006
financial year. The Institute had increased their book publications and
journals by more then 300% and 100% respectively, and had hosted many
international conferences on good governance and peace-keeping measures in
Africa. Challenges included the loss of senior research officers, inadequate
employment equity representation among staff, and budgetary constraints.
Members expressed concerns about the financial irregularities pointed out in
the Auditor-General’s report. The Chief Financial Officer explained that many
of these shortcomings were due to the fact that he had not been properly
briefed by his predecessor. He acknowledged some irregularities in the use of
AISA garage cards, credit cards, vehicles and petty cash transactions. Auditors
had recently been appointed, and more vigilance in future should ensure their
better financial standing.
MINUTES
African Institute of South Africa briefing
Professor Korwa Adar, AISA Research Director, reported on overall
activities in advancing social science research in Africa. Some of their
strategic objectivities were to increase research and disseminate knowledge to
further African awareness, and to ensure lucrative returns on research
investment.
The Institute had increased its field research abilities by promoting
methodology standards, and had held many national and international
conferences. Among other successes, AISA had awarded eight research
scholarships for research activities in at least five African countries. The
Institute had increased its publication of journals and books by 100% and 300%
respectively, meaning it had published eight books and 17 journals, all of
which had been peer-reviewed and accredited.
Significant challenges included the loss of senior staff researchers, mainly
because the Institute did not offer competitive remuneration packages. Another
challenge was the issue of plagiarism by researchers. AISA was currently
seeking software technology that could detect and curb such problems. With
regards to the issue of employment equity, 17% of available vacancies within
the Institute had not been filled. Only 61 out of 80 posts had been filled. The
Institute does not currently have any Indian, coloured and disabled people in
their employment.
New projects in strategic intervention focus areas included international
research outreach projects. AISA has recently introduced two fellowship
programmes named after Archie Mafejee and Ben Magubane. The campus lecture
series, AISA internships and young graduate and scholar programmes were also
priorities.
Discussion
Mr R Ainslie (ANC) asked if the Institute ever measured the impact of
their research on society and if so, the yardsticks used. Was there any
significant reason why the Institute had no coloured, Indian or disabled
employees? He felt the presented financial report was incoherent and did not
fully address the Auditor-General’s report findings on the Institute.
Professor Mohammed (ANC) questioned whether the Institute had done any research
on Africa being used as a ‘dumping zone’ for nuclear waste, and of the
possibility of this happening in South Africa without the government’s
knowledge. He also questioned if AISA was involved in any technological
research as technology and science affected socio-economic discourses on the
continent.
Mr S Nxumalo (ANC) queried the existence of an academic body that advised AISA
on research to be done. He also asked more about AISA scholarships and
bursaries to graduate students.
Mr B Mnyandu (ANC) questioned what disciplinary measures had been followed in
dealing with researchers found guilty of plagiarism.
Ms A Dreyer (DA) was concerned about the distribution of AISA publications –
did AISA maintain their own publishing house or contract this out? On the issue
of losing staff, she asked if AISA conducted any exit interviews. Was the
Council of AISA satisfied with the vacancy rate?
Mr J Blanche (DA) asked if AISA would ever be willing to move into any
government department. He also questioned why the Auditor-General had declared
AISA financial statements to have irregularities. He asked more about the
international representation of delegates at conferences hosted in South Africa.
Mr M Mokotedi, AISA Chief Financial Officer, responded to all of the issues
around financial statements. With regards to financial irregularities
highlighted in the Auditor-General’s report, the outgoing Chief Financial
Officer had not briefed him fully when he joined the Institute, and thus he had
failed to communicate all necessary documentation to the Auditor-General’s
Office in time before the financial audit. This then led to the
disqualification of many financial transactions, but he had since sent all
other documents to the Auditor-General. He did accept that there were
irregularities in the use of AISA garage cards, credit cards, vehicles and
petty cash transactions. Since December 2005, AISA had not appointed auditors,
but had recently appointed Price Waterhouse Coopers from 1 October 2006. More
vigilance would ensure better financial standing.
Professor Adar responded to all the other questions. He acknowledged that AISA
was lacking in their employment equity portfolio, particularly because he knew
of disabled researchers seeking employment. AISA should start a head-hunting
process in this regard.
AISA had not yet studied the impact of its research and access to publications
elsewhere on the continent, but promised to do so in future. The Institute had
not looked into any scientific studies as most of their studies were in social
science disciplines. With regards to plagiarism, this was not a major
institutional problem, but two researchers had been dismissed for the offence.
Mr D Naidoo, an AISA Council boardmember, referred to the appendix of AISA’s
2005/2006 Annual Report; listing the contributors and authors to all published
books. AISA had its own publications department that dealt with all
cross-referencing and printing of journals, paper and books. On the question of
whether AISA would consider moving into another government department, Mr Naidoo
stressed that AISA has not yet agreed to such a move and AISA currently viewed
itself as an advisory body to all government departments. Lastly, he assured
that AISA ensured that all their conferences were well-advertised
internationally.
Committee Members wished to engage AISA further, but due to limited time, the
Chairperson had to close the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned.
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