# Development Policy Research Unit

> research institute

**Wikidata**: [Q100267085](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100267085)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/development-policy-research-unit

## Summary
The Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) is a research institute located in Cape Town, South Africa. It operates under the University of Cape Town and focuses on policy research related to development issues.

## Key Facts
- Also known as: DPRU
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Website: http://www.dpru.uct.ac.za/
- VIAF ID: 131514515
- Classified as: research institute
- Associated with University of Cape Town (based on domain name structure)
- Authority identifier: n96045547 (Library of Congress)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Development Policy Research Unit?
A: The Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) is a research institute located in Cape Town, South Africa, focused on policy research related to development issues.

### Q: How is the Development Policy Research Unit different from other research institutes?
A: While general research institutes focus on fundamental scientific inquiry across disciplines, the DPRU specifically specializes in development policy research, indicating a more targeted focus area.

### Q: Where can I find more information about the Development Policy Research Unit?
A: The DPRU maintains an official website at http://www.dpru.uct.ac.za/ which provides additional details about their research activities and policy work.

## Why It Matters
Research institutes like the Development Policy Research Unit play a crucial role in generating knowledge that can inform policy decisions and address complex development challenges. By focusing specifically on policy research, the DPRU likely contributes valuable insights to addressing South Africa's unique development needs. In a country with significant economic and social challenges, specialized research institutes that examine policy implications can help bridge the gap between academic research and practical policy implementation.

## Notable For
- Specialization in development policy research within the broader category of research institutes
- Location in Cape Town, positioning it to address regional development challenges
- Affiliation with the University of Cape Town, providing academic infrastructure and resources

## Body
### Classification and Background
The Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) is classified as a research institute, a category of organizations whose primary purpose is to conduct research. Unlike universities that combine teaching and research missions, the DPRU focuses specifically on generating knowledge through systematic investigation, particularly in the area of development policy.

### Organizational Details
- Official name: Development Policy Research Unit
- Common alias: DPRU
- Geographic location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Website: http://www.dpru.uct.ac.za/
- VIAF identifier: 131514515
- Authority identifier: n96045547 (Library of Congress)

### Institutional Context
As a research institute, the DPRU is distinguished from several related organizational forms:
- Not a scientific society or learned society (which are membership-based organizations)
- Different from think tanks (which primarily conduct policy-oriented research to influence government decisions)
- Not a research center sub-unit within a larger organization, but appears to be a standalone entity

### Global Recognition
While the DPRU itself may not have the same international recognition as the broader concept of research institutes, its classification as a research institute connects it to a category of organizations with broad global recognition across multiple knowledge organization systems and databases.

### Connection to Knowledge Systems
The DPRU falls under the same classification as other research institutes, which are:
- Mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization for structured data purposes
- Recognized through Geonames feature code S.ITTR for geographic identification
- Classified under Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406
- Authority-controlled in library catalogs with Library of Congress ID n96045547

The DPRU maintains its digital presence through its official website (http://www.dpru.uct.ac.za/) and is identifiable through its VIAF ID (131514515), establishing it within the global library and information science systems.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@dgreports/@integration/documents/genericdocument/wcms_079493.pdf)