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The National Research and Development Strategy identifies the need to create "centres and networks of excellence" in science and technology, including in the social sciences, as a key component of the human capital and transformation dimensions of government policy. It is envisaged that such centres will stimulate sustained distinction in research while simultaneously generating highly qualified human resource capacity in order to impact meaningfully on key national and global areas of knowledge.
The six centres that passed the stringent test are the DST-NRF Centre for Biomedical TB Research, the DST-NRF Centre for Invasion Biology, the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Birds as Keys to Biodiversity Conservation at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute, the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Catalysis and the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology at FABI.
While recognising that the Department of Science and Technology may from time to time create additional centres of excellence, in order to meet its own specific strategic objectives, the National Research Foundation is the main implementer of this strategic initiative.

NEWS AND NUGGETS
Each quarter should see a batch of nuggets (interesting but simple stories) emerge from the six Centres. These news snippets will be posted on this website, Read more ...



New Director of the Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials
Prof LA Cornish has been appointed as the new Director of the Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials (Prof Comins retired).



Interim Director for Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
Prof Morne du Plessis from the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology has taken up the position as CEO of WWF. Prof Phil Hockey has been appointed as Interim Director until such time that a new appointment has been made and the successful applicant takes up the post.



Student wins an award at the 20th National Congress of The Southern African Weed Science Society.
Two PhD students with the CIB and Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology attended the 20th National Congress of the Southern African Weed Science Society held in Bela Bela (Warmbaths).
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First record of Pseudo-Vivipary in Pennisetum Setaceum.
PhD student Sebataolo Rahlao under the supervision of Prof Karen Esler, Prof Sue Milton (Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, University of Stellenbosch) and Dr Phoebe Barnard (SANBI) is studying the response of Pennisetum setaceum (Fountain grass) to landuse and global change.
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Pine Tree Specialist receives Top Swiss Science Prize
The last two decades of pioneering work by ecologist Prof Dave Richardson on the ecology of biological invasions, especially relating to invasions of pines and other tree species, has earned him the distinguished Hans Sigrist Prize.
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DST-NRF Centres of Excellence LAUNCH
The National Research Foundation is geared to enhance the government's commitment to research, says NRF president Dr Khotso Mokhele. In launching the first six centres of excellence in Pretoria, Mokhele said the key activities of these centres are research to create and develop new knowledge, to provide access to a highly developed pool of knowledge, to maintain databases, to promote knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer and to actively collaborate with reputable individuals, groups and institutions. They must also negotiate and help realise national, regional, continental and international partnerships. All of this should be to the benefit and transformation of South Africa.
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