|
|
Dr Sibusiso Sibisi
|
UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Njabulo S. Ndebele said the University is proud to have had Dr Sibisi in its executive fold. "We regret losing such a capable and talented individual but have no doubt that Dr Sibisi will rise to this challenge, making a substantial national impact."
"In the two years since joining UCT Dr Sibisi has succeeded in substantially enriching the area of research and innovation at our institution. He has been responsible for a number of far reaching strategic changes and development initiatives in the Department of Research Development (DRD)."
"He has led the DRD team to achieving new heights in research development, including research capacity building and retention. He has also vastly improved our ability to increase funding for research and to generate income from research," Professor Ndebele said.
Dr Sibisi said, "I have truly enjoyed UCT. The diversity of ideas within the UCT community at all levels was enriching. In particular, the exploration of a variety of measures to foster research and encourage social, economic and industrial benefit therefrom has been enormously interesting."
"I see my move to the CSIR as a continued pursuit of a very similar theme. I expect to work vigorously to strengthen partnerships between CSIR and research universities at all levels from basic research to pursuit of commercial application and social benefit. I thus expect to continue working very closely with UCT."
"The prospect of taking the helm at a flagship science and technology institution is both exciting and challenging. The CSIR institutional mix of scientific research, technology solutions for development and distinct commercial savvy is in itself a formidable challenge. Yet crafting innovative responses to the imperative of national and wider regional growth and development demands that a science and technology perspective be coupled with keen social and economic insight."
"Such an integrated approach suggests dynamic partnerships involving government, industry, universities, research institutions, NGOs and so forth. I would like to believe that my industrial and academic background places me in good stead to consolidate the role of a research and innovation institution like the CSIR in such partnerships.
"Furthermore, aspirant young scientists and engineers deserve a system that offers diverse opportunity for growth, development and long-term career paths. Students and professionals must be able to traverse a smooth path from higher education through research institution to industry and back again as they pursue a process of continuous learning, self-improvement and creative input at the different stages of an integrated innovation system.
"An institution such as CSIR thrives on the knowledge vested in its people, hence such a concerted capacity building role must be one of its prime tasks. Together with ensuring sustained institutional excellence, this is a task that one cannot but undertake with singular vigour," said Dr Sibisi.
|
