Chairperson, Minister, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, hon members, allow me to add to what my colleagues have already contributed. The advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy, established in 2003, by the Department of Science and Technology, is aimed at developing competencies in key technologies to strengthen the technical base and competitiveness of the South African manufacturing sector. The intention is to leverage South Africa's role to be more than just a manufacturing and assembly location.
Research and development projects are funded within three flagship programmes, geared to advance the innovation capabilities across industry sectors. I will talk about only three of them: Firstly, the advanced light materials-metals, fibre and reinforced composites; secondly, the advanced production technologies-efficient manufacturing processes; and lastly, advanced electronics-sensors.
About 25 projects, valued at R147 million, have been initiated. The first project received funding in 2006. Projects are undertaken by consortia comprising industry, tertiary institutions and science councils. The total number of participants includes large companies and science councils, small and medium enterprises, universities and universities of technology, and international collaborators.
To date, 55 students are doing their Masters Degrees in Science, of which 15 are Africans and 9 are females. They are currently working on projects and some have already graduated. There are 24 PhDs, of which 9 are Africans and 4 females, working in the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy projects.
Notable highlights from the research and development projects include the following: A project to develop panels for aircraft interiors using natural fibres; developing a capability to produce high quality castings from titanium alloys; developing advanced techniques to machine titanium alloy components; low-cost measurement; and a reporting system for SMME production operations to be commercialised as SmartFactory.
The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy, AMTS, also funds the establishment of Advanced Manufacturing Technology Laboratories, AMTLs. The AMTLs are world-class laboratories that provide facilities for the design, development and prototyping of new products, and for the development and transfer of relevant skills to support the industry.
There are three AMTLs that are currently operating, namely: the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University for automotive robotics; Aerosud for production technologies, materials development and testing in the aviation industry; and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Adaptronics.
The main focus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Adaptronics AMTL lies in the development of adaptronic technologies for South African industry through research and development activities. This AMTL created an aeronautics knowledge base in a previously disadvantaged tertiary institution. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle research group developed skills in the conceptualising, designing and manufacturing of a prototype as a technology demonstrator within two years.
The AMTS also funds the Programme for Industrial Manufacturing Excellence, PRIME, that aims to accelerate human capital development in the manufacturing sector. Graduates are placed at companies with the objective of working on projects that will increase the productivity and quality of work in the company. Each student is supported financially for one year during which time he or she is mentored by senior engineers. During the first years, over 150 students have participated in the programme. All have subsequently found permanent positions, with approximately half being employed by their placement companies. This programme involves mainly automotive companies in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and North West provinces.
Chairperson, let me raise certain key areas of interest in the economic sector. The National Industrial Policy Framework acknowledges the need for South Africa to diversify its economy with particular emphasis on building technology or knowledge intensive industries over the next decade. Following the adoption of the research and development strategies in 2002, the Department of Science and Technology initiated a number of key technology mission areas and began the process of supporting strategic research and development within these technology mission areas.
Following the adoption of the 10-year innovation plan, and in line with the priorities of the National Industrial Policy Framework, considerable progress has been made in terms of facilitating the development of a number of new, long-term industrial opportunities. The development of these new industries will be largely achieved by establishing centres of competence.
Considerable advances have been made regarding the development of a long- term titanium industry development programme across the titanium value chain. This includes advances in addressing technology challenges as well as advances in the finalisation of a strategy for developing the industry. [Time expired.] Thank you. [Applause.]