The CSIR reported outstanding performance in its activities towards the fulfilment of its organisational mandate over the past year.

Human capital development is critical for the development of science, engineering and technology solutions of the highest calibre to improve the lives of South Africans, says the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Chief Executive Officer Dr Sibusiso Sibisi.

He said evidence of the progress made by CSIR in human capital was not only reflected  in the Corporate Research Foundation (CRF) best employer status awarded to the company in 2010, but  also in the increase of the number of permanent staff studying towards Master or PhD degrees. Also, there has been consistent improvement in CSIR’s demographic profile, with its research base reaching 52% black and 33.2% female.

“The CSIR continues to fulfil an increasingly important role in support of sustainable socio-economic development in South Africa. We do that by making the highest quality of science and technology available to markets and society,” said Dr Sibisi.

Excellent results were also achieved in a number of organisational key performance indicators. The organisation exceeded its publication equivalent target of 466 to reach 576, an increase of nearly 15% compared to last year. New technology demonstrator equivalents rose from a target of 31 to an actual of 37.

During the year under review the number of new technology packages available for transfer was 29 compared to the set target of 16, while 14 new international patents were granted.

The organisation maintained its excellent record of business processes and governance. It obtained a B-BBEE Level 3 rating. "The CSIR applies the same rigour to its governance as it does to its R&D.  The organisation is well known for its strong governance framework, achieving unqualified audit and ethical leadership", said Professor Francis Petersen, Chairperson of the CSIR Board.

Financial performance: 
The CSIR reported positive results and maintained its track record of an unqualified audit for the 2010/11 financial year results.
The statement of comprehensive income for 2010/11 shows the total operating income of the CSIR increased by 2.6% to an amount of R1 723.6 million. The net profit of the CSIR amounted to R35.5 million.

Impact is at the core of the CSIR’s mandate. In improving its research focus and ensuring that it achieves maximum impact in industry and society, guided by global trends and national challenges, the organisation has identified six research impact areas:

• Health – with the aim of improving health care delivery and addressing the burden of disease.
• Natural Environment – with an emphasis on protecting our environment and natural resources.
• Energy – with the focus on alternative and renewable energy.
• Built Environment – with a focus on improved infrastructure and creation of sustainable human settlements.
• Defence and security – contributing to national efforts to build a safer country.
• Industry – in support of an efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure.

The CSIR will channel its efforts towards delivering impact in the areas through the implementation of a few large scale flagship initiatives in these research impact areas over the coming few years.

The copy of the Annual Report can be accessed on line by clicking on the following web link:http://www.csir.co.za/publications/annualreport_2011.html