Divisions:
GMSA
The Minister of Science and Technology (S&T) launched an integrated Research Information Management System (RIMS) on the 26th February 2008. The system is envisaged as a web-based tool to capture statistical information on research and development (R&D) activities by universities, science councils and other government R&D funding agencies. The system is set to provide government with real-time information on human resources for science, engineering and technology, R&D capacity and technology improvement and innovation. This strategic system is meant to be completely integrated with other existing systems at institutional level.
Slow, but steady progress has been made with the implementation of the system which currently relies on the software supplied by InfoEd International Inc.
The RIMS project has four high-level objectives and they are to:
- establish the technical base for RIMS at the NRF,
- implement the RIMS within all South African universities,
- implement the RIMS in public research institutions,
- ensure that the Department of S&T data requirements are met as far as is technically possible.