COFISA Mapping triple helix innovation networks in the Western Cape October 2009 Final report TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ACRONYMS..................................................................................................i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... iii 1 Introduction.......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Definitional issues....................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Why innovation networks? ......................................................................................... 3 2 Methodology........................................................................................................ 4 2.1 Principles applied to the project methodology ........................................................... 4 2.2 Detailed methodology................................................................................................. 5 3 Initial profile of triple helix innovation networks in the W. Cape ........................... 7 3.1 Introduction to key innovation role players or actors in the W. Cape........................ 7 3.2 Indications of existing collaborations ....................................................................... 25 4 International experience with triple helix collaboration........................................33 4.1 Finland ...................................................................................................................... 33 4.2 Australia.................................................................................................................... 35 4.3 India ......................................................................................................................... 37 4.4 China......................................................................................................................... 39 4.5 Overview of international lessons on science parks................................................ 40 5 Initial assessment of Western Cape triple helix innovation networks..................50 5.1 Assessment against key issues raised in the Terms of Reference......................... 50 5.2 Further assessment of factors impacting on innovation networks .......................... 59 6 Support options for triple helix networks in the Western Cape ...........................63 6.1 Thoughts on science parks ...................................................................................... 63 6.2 Thoughts on other potential support areas .............................................................. 66 7 Way forward .......................................................................................................70 Appendix A: List of stakeholders consulted ..............................................................71 Appendix B: Reports consulted.................................................................................73 Appendix C: Notes on research method and future research ...................................75 Appendix D: Western Cape innovation triple helix stakeholder database .................78 LIST OF ACRONYMS ACT Auckland Capital Territory AMTS Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy ARC Agricultural Research Council BBBEE Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment BoP Base of Pyramid BPO Business Process Outsourcing BWB Bandwidth Barn CAPRI Cape Programme for Rural Innovation CEO Chief Executive Officer CHEC Cape Higher Education Consortium CIDA Canadian International Development Agency CIMM Cape Institute for Materials and Manufacturing CITI Cape IT Initiative CoE Centre of Excellence COFISA Cooperation Framework on Innovation Systems between Finland and South Africa CPUT Cape Peninsula University of Technology CRC Cooperative Research Centres CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CTRU Cape Town Routes Unlimited DEAT Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism DEDAT The Department of Economic Development and Tourism DST Department of Science and Technology EU European Union FET Further Education Training FOR Fields of Research GDP Gross Domestic Product GEM Global Entrepreneurship Monitor GIAN Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network HBN Honey Bee Network HEI Higher Education Institution HIV Human immunodeficiency virus HSRC Human Sciences Research Council ICT Information and Communication Technology IDP Integrated Development Planning IDRC International Development Research Centre INAE Indian National Academy of Engineering IP Intellectual Property IT Information Technology IX Innovation Exchange JSE Johannesburg Stock Exchange KCA Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia KIBS Knowledge Intensive Business Services MEDS Microeconomic Development Strategy MEM Micro-Electro-Mechanical MNC Multination Corporations MoU Memoranda of Understanding MRC Medical Research Council of South Africa NACI National Advisory Council on Innovation NGO Non-Governmental Organisation NRF National Research Foundation i Prepared by Kaiser Associates Economic Development Practice NSW New South Wales NTBF New Technology Based Firms OECD Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development OSKE Centre of Expertise Programme (Finland) PANSA Performing Arts Network SA PEP Positron Emission Tomography PEPT Positron emission particle tracking research PGDS Provincial Growth and Development Strategy PGWC Provincial Government of the Western Cape PIC Prior Information Consent QSE Qualified Scientists and Engineers R&D Research and Development RALIS Rapid Appraisal of Local Innovation Systems RIC Research Intensive Clusters RIS Regional Innovation Strategy SAAFOST South African Association of Food Science and Technology SAMRC South African Medical Research Council SARIMA Southern Africa Research and Innovation Management Association SAWIS South African Wine Industry Information and Systems SEDA Small Enterprise Development Agency SEO Socio Economic Objective SETA Sector Education and Training Authority SMME Small Medium and Micro Enterprise SPV Special Purpose Vehicle STEP Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Parks STIP Science and Technology Industrial Parks SU Stellenbosch University TAFE Technical And Further Education TBI Technology Business Incubators TEKEL Finnish Association of Science Parks THRIP Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme TIA Technology Innovation Agency TTO Technology Transfer Office TUT Tshwane University of Technology UCT University of Cape Town UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation US United States UWC University of Western Cape VANSA Visual Arts Network SA WHO World Health Organisation WRC Water Research Commission ii Prepared by Kaiser Associates Economic Development Practice COFISA: Mapping triple helix innovation networks in W. Cape (final report) October 2009 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction This document is the final output of the COFISA study ‘ Mapping triple helix innovation networks in the Western Cape’ . The purpose of this project is to understand innovation networks between academia, industry and government in the Western Cape, i.e. triple helix networks. An appropriate definition of innovation in this context is “doing new things or doing things in a new way, drawing on knowledge and creativity to add value in products and processes” 1. Furthermore, the project aims to understand the potential contribution of science parks, innovation centres, and clusters or incubators within this context. Data gathering included reviews of institutional websites, reports and available databases, and interviews with 48 innovation stakeholders in the province. Given the time constraint of three months for this project, the findings should be seen as a starting point, with further research required to verify and gain greater depth of understanding on innovation collaborations in the Western Cape. The deliverables for this project are: Mapping Western Cape triple helix innovation networks: final report (this document) An initial database of innovation actors in the Western Cape across academia, business, public research institutes, government, and other support structures (see Annexure D as well as the separate Excel file which accompanies this document) Indicative findings on triple helix networks Innovation-related assets and strengths The province has numerous assets that can form the foundation of innovation networks. Overall assets include: An existing base of innovative large and small businesses – e.g. a GEM world cities comparison 2 found that Cape Town is the most entrepreneurial city in South Africa (65% higher than the national average) strongly associated with “links to the creative class”, although it is less strongly oriented around job growth and use of latest technology than many other cities Four universities with research capacity – an estimated 2,200 researchers (including PhD and postdoctoral students), and around 35% of the NRF-rated researchers based at SA universities Additional research capacity at public research institutions, hospitals, etc – estimated at an additional 1,800 researchers Competent and active public research institutions with significant activity in the province: the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the Department of Agriculture research and demonstration farms, the Council