CUT in collaboration with the Free State Provincial Government co-hosted a research colloquium on 12-14 September 2018, to bring researchers and policymakers together to help bridge the knowledge and information gaps in policy-making and research through presentations and policy-oriented panel discussions.

Among other guests who played a role in the success of this colloquium are representatives and presenters from institutions of higher learning, the University of Free State, University of Cape Town and CUT. Government and industry representatives; Dr Benny Malakoane, MEC: Agriculture and Rural Development,  Mr Oupa Khoabane, MEC: CoGTA, Dr Henk Boshoff, Public Service Commissioner, Cllr Olly Mlamleli, Provincial SALGA Chairperson, Mr Gerhard Kriel, CEO for Agri-Free State, Mr Nakana Masoka, Chairperson of AFASA, Dr Litha Magingxa, Executive Manager: Agricultural and Economic Advisory, Land and Agriculture Development Bank, Mr Tshediso Thinane, President: FS Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The colloquium emanates from Free State Growth and Development Strategy.  The strategy is informed by the National Development Plan (NDP).  The colloquium provides guidance and direction from planning perspectives to mobilise partners into action to provide intended research agenda and contribute scientifically informed policies and transformed access to research work.

Some of the burning issues discussed included, land reform and land restitution, good governance, labour market developments, agro-processing, mining town regeneration, gender responsiveness, manufacturing and technology, agriculture, youth and development.

In his welcome address, Prof. Albert Strydom, Dean of Management Sciences and Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal said that issues at hand are recent and relevant. “Let us work together to formulate clear policy implications and recommendations. As CUT, we are very fortunate and grateful that you have involved us as partners in this colloquium.

The development of Central South Africa and the Free State Province is an integral part of Vision 2020.  We regard this occasion as one of the key outcomes of our signed MoU with the FS Provincial Government, and we believe that there will be many joint strategic initiatives in future with the core objective to grow and develop our province,” said Prof. Strydom.

“It provides the only platform that brings together researchers, lawmakers and policymakers under one roof and allows them space to meaningfully and robustly engage. It represents our attempt to enhance evidence-based policymaking with sound and credible research at the heart of policy development. Research has shown that innovative and sustainable economic development does not only depend on the quadruple helix partnership (Government, University, Enterprise and Society) but more on how they mutually interact on strategic objectives,” said Ms Elzabe Rockman, MEC for Treasury.

She said that the review on higher education and regional city development from the OECD report addresses four questions namely: how to develop a more inclusive labour market and education system, how to create an economy that can absorb both highly skilled and low skilled members of the labor force, how to address the long-term challenges of poverty, inequality and poor health and how to turn the potential of higher education into an active asset for regional development.

The MEC also touched on the challenges of service delivery and inadequate revenue at provincial and local government. “On the impact assessment of government’s interventions and programmes, our focus is on revenue enhancement interventions, skills development programme, including the provincial bursary and school-based programmes, good governance, especially on capacity building at local government level, of which some of the issues are already receiving attention in this colloquium. We must revitalise technological innovation in the province and acknowledge the leading role that CUT is playing in this regard.”

Ms Zanele Folose from Northern Cape Provincial Treasury: Economic Analysis Monitoring and Evaluation said that she was impressed with the choice of topics presented as they are the burning issues nationwide. This is my first attendance, and I am impressed with the research papers being presented here today. I have gained a lot of knowledge, and the papers are well researched. I think policymakers in government can take the information shared and come up with policies that can really change the lives of our people.”

Images

1: The colloquium in full swing at the CUT Japie van Lill Auditorium.

2: Ms Elzabe Rockman, MEC for Treasury.