BL Premium reports that the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), which is an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), has not had a permanent CEO since 2019.
Former diplomat Patrick Krappie has acted in the role since 2020, which has led to paralysis in the entity. Several members of the key entity’s executive committee are also in acting capacities, with some having acted for years. The agency blames the paralysis on an institutional review by Minister Blade Nzimande four years ago – a process that was apparently concluded only a few months ago. “The review concluded in March 2024, and the board is now in the process of appointing a permanent CEO, informed by the review’s recommendations to ensure the future direction of the organisation. The permanent CEO role was advertised in the past five years. It was last advertised on 20 October 2019, however, the recruitment process was terminated by guidance from the minister of higher education, science and innovation, pending the outcomes of the institutional review,” the TIA and DSI indicated. The TIA was set up in 2009 to support the state in stimulating and intensifying technological innovation to improve economic growth by developing and exploiting technological innovations. The agency is also mandated to invest in and support innovators, entrepreneurs and SMEs to commercialise their technology. To date, however, the effect of the TIA on the innovation landscape has been muted.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
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