Dr. Rasigan Maharajh

Position: 
Chief Director
Email Address: 
MaharajHR@tut.ac.za
Telephone Number: 
+27 (0)12 382 3076
File attachments: 
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Qualification Summary: 

BA (Economic History & Sociology, University of KwaZulu-Natal), Certificate: Education Policy Analysis and Development (Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University), BA Honours (Economic History, University of KwaZulu-Natal), Senior Executive Program for Southern Africa (Harvard Business School, Harvard University), PhD (School of Economics and Management, Lund University).

Biography: 

Rasigan Maharajh is concurrently Node Head of the Department of Science and Innovation and National Research Foundation’ Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy; the founding Chief Director of the Institute for Economic Research on Innovation at Tshwane University of Technology; and an Associate Research Fellow of the Tellus Institute in Boston.
Rasigan was previously: Professor Extraordinary of the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology at Stellenbosch University; a Visiting Professor at Rede de Pesquisa em Sistemas e Arranjos Produtivos e Inovativos Locais in the Instituto de Economia of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Visiting Research Scholar at the George Perkins Marsh Institute of Clark University, USA; Head of Policy at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research; and National Coordinator of the Science and Technology Policy Transition Project for South Africa’s first democratic government. Before these deployments, Rasigan was: Senior Researcher at the Education Policy Unit of the University of Natal; National Coordinator and Researcher at Operation Upgrade of Southern Africa; Research Assistant at the Macro-Education Policy Unit of the University of Durban-Westville; Research Assistant at the Labour and Community Project of the South African Council for Higher Education; and a Casual Labourer at Pick and Pay Supermarkets.
Rasigan was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree by the Forskningspolitiska Institutet (Research Policy Institute), School of Economics and Management, Lund University, Sweden; and he is also an alumnus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal of South Africa and the Harvard Business School of the United States. Rasigan is a Ministerial Representative on the Council of Rhodes University and an elected Senator of Tshwane University of Technology. Since 2004, Rasigan has contributed to more than 65 publications, and has presented his research in 42 countries.

Selected Books, Chapters and Reports

2014
Maria Clara Couto Soares, Mario Scerri, Rasigan Maharajh (Editors)

This volume analyses the co-evolution of inequality and NSI across the BRICS economies. It reveals the multi-dimensional character of inequality, in going beyond its income aspect to include assets, access to basic services, infrastructure, knowledge, race, gender,...

Keywords: BRICS | Innovation | Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Mario Scerri | Rasigan Maharajh | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports
2009
Bo Göransson, Rasigan Maharajh and Ulrich Schmoch

The two time-honoured tasks of universities are teaching and research which have long provided society with specific skills and new knowledge and ideas. Expectations have increased exponentially and demands are originating from a much wider range of stakeholders. Universities are now given progressively more important roles in economic expansion, social development, better forms of political...

Keywords: Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Rasigan Maharajh | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports
2009
Bo Göransson, Rasigan Maharajh and Ulrich Schmoch

The third mission encompasses all activities of universities beyond their first and second missions, education and research. An analysis of various countries with different economic, political and geographic features reveals an increased demand for such activities in particular with regard to technology transfer, but also as to the support of the civil society in more general terms. Therefore...

Keywords: Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Rasigan Maharajh | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports
2009
Rasigan Maharajh and Erika Kraemer-Mbula

Innovation provides a path to sustainable growth but a strategy for innovation in a global economy is no longer national. Countries must attract people and investment from abroad and participate in world markets and institutions. This book starts with the language and system framework used to discuss innovation, and the statistical indicators needed to describe the activity. It then looks at...

Keywords: Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Rasigan Maharajh | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports
2006
Michael Aliber, Marie Kirsten, Rasigan Maharajh, Josephilda Nhlapo-Hlope, and Oupa Nkoane

This paper is a synthesis of the July 2005 Development Report published by the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Human Sciences Research Council and United Nations Development Programme (DBSA, HSRC and UNDP). The Report asks why, if the origins of economic dualism are rooted in the cheap, forced, migrant labour introduced by the mining industry and reinforced during apartheid, does dualism...

Keywords: African integration | Rasigan Maharajh | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports
2006
Rasigan Maharajh and Thomas Pogue

Technology and innovation are commonly viewed as integral to sustained industrial development. This chapter draws on literature on the relationship between technology and economic development and discusses contemporary science, technology and innovation policy in South Africa.

Keywords: Local economic development | Rasigan Maharajh | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports
2005
Rasigan Maharajh

Better information is the key to higher levels of innovation in SA. Statistics, indicators and indices tell us that SA can be categorised as an emerging economy.

Keywords: Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Rasigan Maharajh | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports
Rasigan Maharajh

The Helsinki Process on Globalisation and Democracy is in search of novel and empowering solutions to the dilemmas of global governance and offers a forum for open and inclusive dialogue between important stakeholders.

Keywords: Global political economy | Rasigan Maharajh | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports

Journal Article

2014
Geci Karuri-Sebina, Rasigan Maharajh, Alinah Segobye, Alioune Sall.
Keywords: Africa | African integration | Journal Article | Rasigan Maharajh

Presentations and Other

2014
Erika Kraemer-Mbula & Rasigan Maharajh

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), along with Stellenbosch University, is co-host  to the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Scientometrics and...

Keywords: Erika Kraemer-Mbula | Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2013
Lindile L Ndabeni and Rasigan Maharajh

After nearly two decades since the ending of apartheid colonialism, poverty, unemployment, inequality, and environmental degradation remain persistent problems. In seeking to improve the quality of life for all its inhabitants, South Africa must also reduce poverty, create employment, and redress widening inequalities. Both at national and provincial levels, policy development aims to enhance...

Keywords: Equality, inclusion and participation | Lindile L Ndabeni, PhD | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2012
Rasigan Maharajh
  • Economic growth - development programmes - seek to improve the quality of life of the general population
  • Rising rates of change
    • unaccompanied by any significant improvement in most of the indicators of human development & 'jobless growth'
  • Growing gap between Africa, & especially sub-Saharan Africa, and most of the rest of the world in...
Keywords: Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2012
Rasigan Maharajh
  1. Introduction
  2. Periodisation of Revolution & Reform
  3. Policy, Planning & Budgeting Cycles
  4. Performance Monitoring & Evaluation
  5. Reflections & Challenges
Keywords: Global political economy | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2012
Rasigan Maharajh
  1. Geo-physical Context
  2. Socio-political History
  3. Political Economy
  4. Policy: Revolution & Reform
  5. Contemporary Challenges
Keywords: Global political economy | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2012
Rasigan Maharajh
  • Concurrent crisis's all emanate from the current mode of production and consumption, waste, and environmental degradation
  • Accelerated distribution through neo-liberal globalisation
  • Hegemonic World System, Unilateralism & State violence
Keywords: Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2011
Rasigan Maharajh

"This realignment of the world economy is not a transitory phenomenon, but represents a structural change of historical significance" (OECD, 2010).

Global Geo-Political Regime Transformation 
- Market Dogma & Neo-liberalismNew Public Management ...

Keywords: BNDES | Global political economy | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh | Round Table
2011
Rasigan Maharajh
  1. Introduction
  2. Innovation and Development
    1. Generation
    2. Acquisition & Assimilation
    3. Diffusion
    4. Constraints & Enablers
    5. Coordination
  3. Contemporary Context
    1. Connectedness
    2. Economic Participation
    3. Health & Gross Domestic Product
    4. Research & Development...
Keywords: African integration | Economic Development | Knowledge Utilisation | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2011
Rasigan Maharajh
  1. Introduction
  2. History
  3. Post-apartheid Reform
  4. Sector and System Characteristics
  5. Innovation System Performance
  6. Conclusion: Enduring Challenges For Higher Education & the Innovation System
Keywords: Higher Education | Innovation theory, systems and indicators | National System of Innovation | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2010
Rasigan Maharajh

As of today, the 6th of May 2010, we share the world with at least 6,819,184,140 other human beings (US Census Clock Widget1). Can I encourage you to participate in a mind experiment; and normalise that rather large number to just 100 people.

Keywords: Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2009
Rasigan Maharajh
  • Context setting
    global interconnected crisis
    • Water
    • Food
    • Financial
    • Climate-change
  • Increased vulnerability, volatility & pressure on resource allocations
Keywords: Global political economy | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2008
Rasigan Maharajh
  • National System of Innovation
    – Policy – Strategy – Plan - Agency
  • Higher Education Landscape
    - Reform & Qualifications
  • Sustainable Development
  • Challenges
Keywords: Innovation | Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2008
Rasigan Maharajh

The integrative force of global production, finance and technology has qualitatively changed social relations along with culture, politics and the way we see the world and ourselves.

Keywords: Global political economy | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2008
Rasigan Maharajh

Human Progress

    Theories of Change
    • Development & Growth
    • Transformation
    • Modernisation

    Globalisation

    • Integration
    • Convergence

    Neo-liberalism

    • Chicago School
    • Consensus & Doctrine
    • Fundamentalism & Orthodoxies
      • Deregulation & Privatisation
      • Trade and Capital...
Keywords: Global political economy | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2007
Rasigan Maharajh

Introduction

  • Development Challenges of Post-Apartheid South Africa

Continued Evolution of the NSI
Conclusions

Keywords: BRICS | Global political economy | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2007
Rasigan Maharajh

SA is a lower middle income developing country, an emerging market and society in transition...

Keywords: Global political economy | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2007
Rasigan Maharajh

Local Economic Development is important for:

  • Growth in Productivity and Competitiveness
  • Social Cohesion
  • Good governance a.k.a. Accountability

Science Parks contribute to:

  • Capacity mobilisation
  • Capability formation
  • Competency creation

National Systems of Innovation provide the conceptual framework to:

...
Keywords: Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh | Science parks
2006
Rasigan Maharajh
  • Launched by Ministry of Science & Technology in September 2004 based at TUT
  • Centre of Excellence in
    • Evidence-based Policy Research
    • Competency Support
    • Capacity Development
    • Networking & Knowledge-sharing
  • Mandate
    • Research & Development Focus Area of Faculty of Economics & Finance
    • Knowledge...
Keywords: Global political economy | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2006
Rasigan Maharajh
  • Research, Science & Innovation contributes to increased and expanded performance of institutions, firms & agency
    • “core dimension for political prioritisation in improving society’s efficiency in resource use”
  • KISS: How, Why, Where & When are important metrics
    • Requires a deep understanding of underlying political economy, history...
Keywords: Innovation | Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2006
Rasigan Maharajh and Thomas Pogue
  • Socio-Economic Development implies continuous improvement in the well-being and standard of living of the people
  • SA signed, ratified and acceded to most international human rights and development instruments
    • UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
    • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
  • Sustainable Development and...
Keywords: African integration | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2005
Rasigan Maharajh
  • "While we stand ready to do more, our national circumstances must be acknowledged. Any future commitments for developing countries must be consistent with their capabilities, their sustainable development objectives, and take into account the current structure of their economies...
  • Such commitments must ultimately map out a proactive, sustainable and equitable growth path which...
Keywords: Global political economy | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2005
Rasigan Maharajh
  • Evidence-based policy research
    • shaping policy from a scientific assessment of phenomena through testing hypothetical explanations of natural and social facts and systems
    • Theory from facts...
  • Key issues
    • Question, evidence, interpretation
    • Uncertainty & probability
    • Methodological rigour
    • Stakeholder sentiment
    • ...
Keywords: Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Knowledge | Policy | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2005
Rasigan Maharajh
  • Introduction
  • Evolutionary Political Economy
    • Schools of Economic Thought & Innovation
    • Critique of Neo-classical Economics
    • Evolutionary Political Economy
  • National Systems of Innovation
    • History
    • Current divergent paths
  • Policy Matters
    • Explicit
    • Implicit
  • Concluding...
Keywords: Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh
2004
Rasigan Maharajh
  • Context 1
    • At all times, communities should be informed of steps taken to address whatever challenges confront them and on process.
    • Partnerships should be formed so that the resolution of the problems becomes a collective effort of government and communities
    Thabo Mbeki - NCoP - (2004)
  • Challenges of Local Governance...
Keywords: Global political economy | Knowledge | Presentations and Other | Rasigan Maharajh

IERI Working Papers

2009
Rasigan Maharajh and Erika Kraemer-Mbula

This paper is a contribution to the discussion on Innovation for Development. It is argued that innovation strategies in developing countries are the result of competing policy and contextual factors. In exploring this theme, it suggests that innovation strategies which are shaped by domestic market and policy realities are more robust and contribute towards improving the country-level...

Keywords: IERI Working Papers | Innovation theory, systems and indicators | Rasigan Maharajh
2008
Rasigan Maharajh

This paper is a contribution to the discussion about globalisation, democracy and development. It proposes revisiting the current multilateral architecture for economic growth and development whilst simultaneously encouraging greater coherence, cooperation and coordination amongst the countries of Southern Africa. Competing conceptual definitions, contextual histories and performance data...

Keywords: Global political economy | IERI Working Papers | Rasigan Maharajh