. The funding support for a multi-purpose fluorination plant was finalised. . The formalisation of the titanium centre of competence is in progress; to date 60 students have been involved in this programme. . The DST is contributing to Government's Competitive Supplier Development programme. Twenty-eight companies were selected to receive technology assistance packages from the Department. . Programme 5 is currently piloting the Community-University Partnership Programme (CUPP) at four rurally based universities (i.e. the Universities of Fort Hare, Limpopo, Zululand and Venda) over a period of three years (2009/10 to 2011/12). CUPP is a key outcome of the Human and Social Dynamics Grand Challenge and seeks to act as a catalyst for solving problems, facilitating development, sharing lessons, generating knowledge and adopting new techniques and innovations. Universities based in poor and underdeveloped rural and urban communities can play a pivotal role in helping residents to contribute information to decision- making, as well as contributing to a better understanding of the issues, choices and concerns in the community. . The DST supports a number of technology transfer initiatives to address the challenges of poverty reduction from the perspective of using science and technology for creating sustainable livelihoods. The initiatives are organised under three thrust areas, i.e. demonstration agronomy science (including bioprospecting in essential oils and scientifically proven indigenous medicinal plants), aquaculture and the diversified post-harvest beneficiation of natural resources.