Research

A new dawn for Unisa's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem

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"We are facing rising inequality and youth unemployment in the country. How do we create opportunities today that prepare us for tomorrow? And how can we learn from successful countries to build new sources of growth through SMEs?" These were the thought-provoking words of Ayanda Noma, Director of the Directorate of Innovation, Technology Transfer and Commercialisation (DITTC), during the inaugural Unisa Innovation and Entrepreneurship Networking Session.

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Key players in Unisa’s innovation and entrepreneurship space come together for the inaugural Unisa Innovation and Entrepreneurship Networking Session

The session, organised by the DITTC, aimed to bring together key players from across Unisa’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. It was an opportunity to foster collaboration, share ideas and build synergy among those working to support innovators and entrepreneurs within the university.


Who was in the room?

Basanda Pongoma, Business Development Specialist from the DITTC, highlighted the work currently being done by the directorate and how it could align with the efforts of other stakeholders in the ecosystem.

Prof Thembela Hillie, representing the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) Innovation Centre, emphasised the need for research labs to go beyond passive knowledge sharing and instead become active launchpads for startups that can commercialise publicly funded research. An engagement such as this could make this possible.

Prof Alex Kuvareka from the CSET-College of Agriculture and Environment Sciences (CAES) Incubation Unit spoke about their work in supporting the development of prototypes, tech transfer, commercialisation and entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, Dr Nthabeleng Mmako from the College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS) Entrepreneurship Department shared how their work focuses on shifting the student mindset from job-seeking to job-creating.

"Our aim is to instil an entrepreneurial way of thinking," said Mmako. "We want to embed entrepreneurship into the curriculum so that students learn to think like entrepreneurs."

Key representatives from the Social Innovation Lab, Inhlanyelo Hub, Product Development Technology Station, and Unisa Enterprise were also present, each bringing unique contributions to the table.


The shared understanding

The main takeaway from the session was clear - there is no shortage of innovation and entrepreneurial activity at Unisa, but much of it happens in silos. The networking session created a space for these stakeholders to align their efforts, share their work, and explore ways to support one another moving forward.

There was a strong consensus that collaboration is key to strengthening the ecosystem. By connecting initiatives and aligning efforts, the university can better support entrepreneurs and innovators at every stage of their journey.

* By Matshego Njumbuxa, Communication and Marketing Specialist, Directorate of Innovation, Technology Transfer and Commercialisation

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Publish date: 2025-06-13 00:00:00.0

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