GRA information session draws good attendance at CSIR

An information session on the Global Research Alliance held at the CSIR’s International Convention Centre drew a sizable audience from within the organisation and from invited external organisations.

The event comprised an introduction by Dr Anthos Yannakou, one of CSIR’s GRA Principals, in which he commented on the progress made by the GRA and highlighted the importance of CSIR’s response to the opportunities that the activities of the alliance represented. He outlined the conditions for the continued success of the alliance, and pointed out that the establishment of the GRA Nerve Centre as part of its structure is of great value to the alliance.

Dr Reinie Biesenbach, Manager of the GRA Nerve Centre, gave a comprehensive presentation on the GRA, in which he introduced the nature of the GRA and each of the member organisations to the audience. He noted that Dr Yannakou and Mr Nicolas Gorgestani, Senior Adviser and Chief Knowledge & Learning Officer, Africa Region of the World Bank, would be presenting a joint paper, exploring the unique nature of the GRA, at the World Bank’s 5th Annual Staff Exchange Program and Knowledge Sharing Conference in June 2004. The diversified nature and geographic spread of its membership afford the GRA powerful advantages.

Of particular relevance to the CSIR, is the GRA’s interest in energy projects on the African continent, in which the CSIR, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and Battelle will take the lead. While cooperation between member organisations on focus areas continues to develop, the GRA has also stimulated bilateral relationships with member organisations. A visit by Battelle’s Dr Richard Adams, Senior Vice President: International Partnerships, is expected within the next week.

A panel comprising CSIR Champions of each of the GRA’s focus areas – Dr Pete Ashton (Water); Dr Pat Manders (Energy); Mr Phil Hendricks (Transport and Logistics), Mr Gerry le Roux (Digital Futures) and Miss Cristina Pinto (Health) - shared perspectives on progress within each of these areas.

The concluding Q&A session underlined several pertinent issues for the CSIR as a GRA member, notably involvement in Africa, and a potential role for the GRA (facilitated by the CSIR) in assisting government’s delivery within South Africa.

The session concluded with a call by Dr Yannakou for the CSIR to strive towards meeting all the conditions necessary for the success of the GRA, particularly the mobilisation of resources within the organisation. An internal workshop will soon be held to examine funding support for resources within the CSIR to facilitate the pursuit of GRA project opportunities.