Research role of the CSIR

Abstract

The CSIR is a unique and significant institution within the science and technology landscape of South Africa. It covers a wide range of research areas, and is highly integrated across the research and innovation value chain, with its principal focus lying between the basic research undertaken mainly by universities, and experimental development undertaken by industry. It supports and maintains certain key facilities that are required by industry and other research partners; it provides experiential training and study opportunities that are not available within our universities but that are important to CSIR clients and stakeholders; and it provides a specialised technology transfer function, introducing new and relevant technologies into South Africa in areas which it considers to have high potential for economic growth