DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE:  "SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PHYSICS IN SA"
MANAGEMENT AND POLICY COMMITTEE

The Management and Policy Committee must oversee the entire evaluation to its successful conclusion and has the following important tasks:

1.	To approve its own terms of reference

2.	To appoint a chairperson of the Management and Policy Committee 

3.	To approve the terms of reference of the overall strategic repositioning process

4.	To nominate members of the Strategic Repositioning Panel and its convenor/chair.  Relevant stakeholders should be invited by the Management and Policy Committee to put forward names of possible panel members.  A brief curriculum and motivation for the nomination should be provided. The final selection of Panel members will be made by the Director General of Department Science and Technology to whom the nominations will be referred by the Management and Policy Committee 

5.	To approve the terms of reference and to appoint the members of the Technical Committee 

6.	To approve the programme for the strategic repositioning i.e. the work plan of the  Panel

7.	To determine and approve the time frames for the strategic repositioning

8.	To recommend the approval (or give approval if legally able to do so) of budget(s) and all contracts

9.	To formulate a strategy for generating ideas to revitalize and redirect physics in South Africa 

10.	To receive the progress/final reports from the Strategic Repositioning Panel

11.	To solicit a response to the report from the relevant stakeholders in order to ensure buy-in and to oversee the implementation of recommendations contained in the report

12.	To submit the final report of the Strategic Repositioning Panel to the stakeholders identified  

13.	To oversee the dissemination process of the final report as outlined in the terms of reference



23.02.2003
 
DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE:  "SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PHYSICS IN SA"
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

The responsibilities of the Technical Committee will be to:

1.	Develop the draft terms of reference for the strategic repositioning. The compilation of precise and succinct terms of reference is crucial for the success of this process.  The terms of reference should, inter alia, address the following:

a.	the title of the strategic repositioning 

b.	the constitution and terms of reference of the Management and Policy Committee

c.	the constitution and terms of reference of the Technical Committee

d.	the need and purpose of the strategic repositioning

e.	the scope of the strategic repositioning

f.	details on the actual strategic repositioning process (e.g. number of persons on the panel, documentation required for the process, the work plan for the strategic repositioning, the line of questioning that the panel will follow during interviews, deliverables such as verbal presentations, reports, etc, dissemination mechanisms of the report, strategy for the implementation of the recommendations)

g.	time frames i.e. when the strategic repositioning should take place and how long it will be, by when the response of the relevant stakeholders to the report is needed, and by when  the report should be disseminated to the stakeholders

h.	budgetary matters in terms of responsibility for costs, payments that will be made and extent thereof

i.	contractual agreements with the Technical Committee, Strategic Repositioning Panel, etc

2.	Translate the terms of reference into actionable tasks

3.	Develop a programme/plan for the strategic repositioning in close cooperation with the Management and Policy Committee

4.	Develop a budget for the entire process indicating the responsibility for various costs, if applicable

5.	Manage, coordinate and administer the entire strategic repositioning process including all logistic arrangements.  This will include, inter alia, the following:

a.	to act as secretariat to the Management and Policy Committee (where applicable) and the Strategic Repositioning Panel

b.	to liaise with the stakeholders under review at all the required levels

c.	to make travel and accommodation arrangements for the members of the Management and Policy Committee, the Strategic Repositioning Panel as well as the interviewees, etc

d.	to ensure that the programme for the strategic repositioning is adhered to

e.	to effect the necessary payments

f.	to coordinate the documents required for the strategic repositioning




23.02.2003
 
DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE:  "SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PHYSICS IN SA"
STRATEGIC REPOSITIONING PANEL  

Members of the Panel will be expected to comply with the requirements of the terms of reference for the strategic repositioning.  These will spell out exactly what will be required from the panel, for example, to:

1.	review the state of physics in South Africa with the aim of stimulating a revitalization and redirection of physics in South Africa

2.	undertake a strategic repositioning of physics based on the assessment/interpretation/analysis of:

a.	various documents provided by the Technical Committee 

b.	on-site visits to and discussions with stakeholders - including academics, government representatives and industry

3.	assess submissions received regarding ways in which physics in South Africa might be revitalized and redirected so as to contribute to national development objectives.

4.	formulate a plan for future implementation to stimulate the appropriate redirection of physics in South Africa

5.	provide verbal feedback to the Management and Policy Committee and other stakeholders at the end of the strategic repositioning process

6.	compile and submit written progress and final reports on their findings and recommendations to the Technical Committee within the stipulated format and time frame


23.02.2003