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Sasol University Collaboration Overview

Sasol University Collaboration Overview. Presentation overview. Role of innovation in society About the Sasol-University Collaboration Initiative Key A reas of Collaboration with South African Universities Achievements and Highlights Key Leanings

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Sasol University Collaboration Overview

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  1. Sasol University Collaboration Overview

  2. Presentation overview • Role of innovation in society • About the Sasol-University Collaboration Initiative • Key Areas of Collaboration with South African Universities • Achievements and Highlights • Key Leanings • Opportunities to Enhance University Collaboration • Q & A

  3. Why innovate? Industry Institution • Create competitive advantage • Build barriers to entry • Freedom to operate • Commercial value • Create new knowledge • Build capability • Freedom to disseminate • Reputation value

  4. A Thriving Innovation Ecosystem Skills transfer Academia RISK SHARING Industry Research Councils Society Aligned capability and core commercial advantages Government

  5. Sasol’s local innovation network Research Councils (CSIR) Universities Analytical Laboratories DST (Tax incentive) NRF (research chairs, postgraduate bursary schemes)

  6. A Strategic Intent • Ensure long-term sustainability of scientific and engineering capability for Sasol and South Africa • Secure access to: • Skills • Resources • Research capability • Actively promote transformation within the chemical industry • Effectively manage IP to ensure protection of competitive advantage

  7. About the University collaboration initiative Intent of the programme • Programme started in 2006. • R 250 million committed over ten years. • 2 years remaining. • R 175.6 million spent to date. • Massive impact to community and universities. • 10 universities supported. • To build competency in Science and Engineering • To improve the quality of research and teaching facilities in these disciplines to ensure a long-term supply of highly-trained postgraduates for Sasol and other South African industries, as well as for the Universities

  8. A hub and spoke approach • R250m commitment over ten years • Develop and retain talented academics • Build capacity in research and teaching in fields of chemistry and chemical engineering • Upgrade research and teaching facilities • Create opportunities for young researchers and promote diversity within the chemical industry NWU UJ UFS UKZN UWC UCT RU SU "This is a proactive step to help our universities meet critical research and development skills essential to the future growth and prosperity of our industry and our nation," Sasol CE Pat Davies 2008

  9. key areas of collaboration with South African Universities Research grants are awarded to academic supervisors in support of research being carried out. These grants are linked to the Sasol bursars . Research grants Accelerated efforts by awarding academics non-binding grants to attract top diversity candidates into the university research programmes. Non-binding grants To help to retain academics at the universities, Sasol subvents the salaries of academics, and supports young academics enabling them to grow their research careers. Salary subvention & young academic support Sasol’s capital equipment grants, further leveraged by the universities, have enabled the upgrade and expansion of the facilities. Infrastructure development Sasol R&D employees have been seconded to the various universities, to carry out research and supervise postgraduate students, and to fulfil a teaching function within the department concerned. Secondments

  10. List of Universities and Academic Demographics Universities are supported • University of Cape Town • Stellenbosch University • University of the Western Cape • Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University • University Of the Western Cape • University of Pretoria • Rhodes University • University of the North-West • University of Free State • University of Johannesburg 70 academics Gender split: 62 males and 8 females Racial Demographics: 58 Whites,7 Africans, 3 Coloureds & 2 Indians

  11. Investing in state-of-the-art facilities “We are thrilled that Sasol is part of this centre and its one-of-a-kind technology. More importantly, the development of skilled operators and researchers for Sasol and South Africa will be significant.”

  12. Key learning • Must be good alignment between spokes and focus of hub • Look for opportunities to collaborate • Critically important to take a strategic view of capital equipment • Expert operators • Young academics need mentoring and support to become effective • Great need for funding towards running costs for postgraduate research • Laboratory safety awareness could be improved

  13. Room for Improvement • The current University Collaboration is restricted to only 10 of the 23 national universities • The focus is still disproportionately on established historically white Institutions with limited involvement of Black Academics • Limited interphase with Top University Management at all institutions

  14. Opportunities to Enhance University Collaboration • Expand the footprint to all 23 South African Universities to enhance Sasol’s Value-add to the National System of Innovation • Enhance our footprint at Previously Disadvantaged Universities as well as Universities of Technology • Broader funding reach as well as improved ability to leverage co-funding from key government departments (e.g. DST, DHET, DTI) • Better Engagement with both HESA and SATN to ensure alignment with Top Management at different Universities • Improved pipeline of Black Postgraduates & Academics in line with country’s transformation imperatives

  15. Q & A

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