The SRIM II Programme follows on from the first SRIM Programme (SRIM I, 2014-2017) which was funded by the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), endorsed by the SADC Ministers responsible for Science and Technology and implemented in partnership with the SARIMA, the SADC Secretariat and the SADC Member States.

The key objectives of the SRIM I Programme included promoting Research and Innovation Management (R&I) management as an institutional, national, and regional priority, developing capacity and skills for R&I management, promoting networking, collaboration and cooperation between SADC R&I management practitioners and institutions. The following are just a few of the key highlights from SRIM I in SADC:

• ≈ 400 professionals trained in various Research and Innovation Management topics
• 14 workshops in different SADC countries on Research and Innovation Management
• 31 Research institutions involved in the Fellowship and Mentorship Program
• 12 Research institutions received mentorship on setting up a Technology Transfer Office
• 10 Regional and National Forums hosted to share best practice in Research and Innovation Management

The outcomes from the SRIM I Programme and the considerable response to and uptake of the numerous initiatives implemented through the SRIM I Programme highlighted the need for continuous country-specific skills development and capacity building in R&I management and technology transfer in the SADC region in order to ensure that the investment made into research in our region and on the continent leads to socio-economic development and value creation.

The SRIM II Programme, again funded by the SA-DSI with SARIMA as the implementation lead and the SA National Research Foundation (NRF) and Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) as key partners, aims to build on the recommendations, experiences, learnings, outputs, and outcomes from the first SRIM Programme, while maintaining close alignment with the STI goals and objectives outlined in the various SADC strategic and related documents.

The overarching goal of the SRIM II Programme is to continue with supporting, facilitating and promoting the management of science, technology and innovation at institutional, national, and regional levels for socio-economic value and wealth creation. In addition to ensuring good governance, the SRIM II Programme key objectives include:

• promoting connection and cooperation between R&I management practitioners, institutions and other role players within the SADC R&I ecosystem.
• advancing R&I management and to strengthen the professional and technical skills and capacity of institutions and practitioners in the SADC region.
• developing knowledge outputs and resources for better coordination and support of the R&I ecosystem in the region

Re-establishing and reviving National Focal Points to be effective conduits for SRIM II Programme implementation is considered a key success factor.