National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI)Councilor and consultant
Mar. 2004 - Feb. 2009Pretoria Area, South AfricaServed as a Councillor on NACI. This position gave me great insight to the way Government, Educational and Research based organised operated and also provided me with an opportunity to be involved in decision processes like Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope (SKA) project that will benefit mankind. The National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) is appointed by the Minister of Science and Technology to advise him (and through him, the Ministers Committee and the Cabinet) on the role and contribution of innovation (including science and technology) in promoting and achieving national objectives, namely to improve and sustain the quality of life of all South Africans develop human resources for science and technology build the economy strengthen the country's competitiveness in the international sphere. The membership of NACI is broadly representative of all sectors and is constituted in a manner that ensures a spread of expertise and experience regarding: national and provincial interests; scientific and technological disciplines innovation the needs and opportunities in different socio-economic fields; and research and development in all sectors. Comprised of 22 Councilors, representing the range of sectors and organizations involved in the South African National System of Innovation (NSI); assisted by three national specialized advisory committees - Science, Engineering and Technology for Women (SET4W), the National Biotechnology Advisory Committee (NBAC) and the Indicators Reference Group (IRG); and supported by a professional secretariat based within the Department of Science and Technology in Pretoria, the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) has been created by national legislation (NACI Act, No. 55 or 1997) to advise the Minister of Science and Technology of South Africa, on the role and contribution of science, mathematics, innovation and technology, including indigenous technologies, in promoting and achieving national objectives.