In August 2007, the Presidential International Advisory Council (PIAC) on ISAD [e-Skills and ISAD, Appendix 4] identified the shortage of e-Skills as a serious problem facing South Africa as it seeks to leverage the opportunities presented by the emerging South African Information Society and global Knowledge Economy. In response to PIAC’s recommendations in relation to e-Skilling the Nation, the South African Government through the Department of Communications (DoC) operationalised the e- Skills Institute (e-SI) as part of a four-pronged approach to harnessing ICT.
The e-Skills Institute focuses on the development of ICT Skills and Competencies (e-Skills) and its impact on the public and private sectors and society in general, including different categories of e- Skills such as e-Literacy (capabilities for social appropriation of ICTs for local/civil society development), e-Democracy and e-Participation skills, e-Business skills, e-Government skills, e-User skills and E-Practitioner skills.
The e-Skills Institute is a national catalyst, facilitator and change agent in the development of South Africa, within a globally evolving information and knowledge based environment, by leading the creation of e-skills for South Africa. ResNES was officially launched at the e-Skills Summit as part of the opening ceremony of the research colloquium opened officially by the Director-General in Cape Town 26 July 2010.
The South African Research Network for e-Skills (ReSNES) was established to execute the complex endeavour of effectively assessing the impact of the e-Skills related research in terms of the objectives of the e-SI, the MTSF and community need.
ReSNES commenced in the five Universities that signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Communication aimed at enhancing the aims of the e-Skills Institute. ReSNES aims to grow quickly to provide a professional coordinating space for all researchers in academia, business, civil society, government and donor agencies that have a professional interest in applying an e-Skills agenda to the national priorities.
QUICK CONTACT: research@resnes.co.za
