DUT launches groundbreaking Innobiz Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Simangele Zuma A two-day hybrid launch of the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) newly named Innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation was held at DUT’s Indumiso Campus in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, 04 November 2021 and on Friday, 05 November 2021.
Providing messages of support to Innobiz were Dr Norah Clarke, Director: EDHE programme, Ms Mandisa Cakwe, Director: Teaching and Learning Development in Universities (DHET), Ms Janna Pukka, International Higher Education, Innovation and Regional Development Expert in Finland and Ms Jaclyn Cole, Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General. The fitting keynote address was delivered by Dr Phil Mjwara, Director General: DSI. The Programme Directors were DUT’s Professor Keolebogile Motaung, Technology Transfer and Innovation (TTI) Director and Mr Zwakele Ngubane, Director: Advancement and Alumni Relations, who facilitated the proceedings of the launch.
Innobiz Competition winner, second year Auditing and Taxation student, Miss Nobuhle Ngcobo. Image © Vusi Dlamini
Local and international esteemed guests joined DUT in celebration of this milestone – a centre that will serve as an umbrella Centre for all entrepreneurial units within the university. This exciting launch included the unveiling of the Innobiz plaque, an exhibition of DUT’s entrepreneurial activities, showcasing of hubs and student businesses, fashion shows, a panel discussion with various industries both local and international, networking, a gala dinner, student pitches, prizes and more. Amongst dignitaries who attended this prestigious event were DUT’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Zizwe Mthembu; Dr Phil Mjwara, Director General: Department of Science and Innovation (DSI); Dr Mmboneni Muofhe, Deputy Director General, DSI; Ms Mandisa Cakwe, Director: Teaching and Learning Development in Universities, Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET); Dr Norah Clark, Director of the Entrepreneurial Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme; Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at DUT, Professor Sibusiso Moyo, DUT Midlands Campus Director, Dr Joe Molete, Director: Technology Transfer and Innovation at DUT, Professor Keolebogile Motaung, Director: Advancement and Alumni Relations, Mr Zwakele Ngubane and Innobiz Midlands Centre Manager, Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo.
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“Today, we demonstrate what DUT is made of. Today, we demonstrate that DUT’s DNA strands, namely ‘innovative and entrepreneurial’ and ‘people-centred and engaged’ – which are not wild and vacuous slogans, but rather are full of tangible outputs, outcomes and impacts. Innobiz is one of the platforms we will use at DUT to make good on our ultimate goals of ‘innovative and entrepreneurial’ and ‘people-centred and engaged,’” said DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu. Professor Mthembu further revealed that DUT has, from 2017, put more emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship as a strategy for transforming societies and economies. He thanked all those that put their minds and energy together over a number of years to make the centre not just a possibility, but a reality. “Beyond this launch, many problems will still arise, within DUT and between DUT and its Quad-Helix partners. May we all choose to solve the problems instead of moaning incessantly and noisily about them. Unlike what we saw in July 2021, what we see in service delivery protests and other violent protests including our own here at DUT, may we not multiply our problems. May we rather unleash innovation and entrepreneurship via Innobiz. Ultimately, may Innobiz contribute to improving the lives and livelihoods of our broader society,” noted Professor Mthembu. Unpacking ENVISION2030: Taking Entrepreneurship and Innovation to new levels at DUT was DVC: RIE, Professor Sibusiso Moyo. She began by thanking both DUT Council and Professor Mthembu for approving the establishment of the centre.
