The inaugural Durban University of Technology (DUT) Entrepreneurship and Innovation Inter-Faculty Competition was officially launched on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. The competition will see students from departments across the University’s six faculties compete throughout the year for top honours, showcasing innovative ideas and entrepreneurial solutions.
The launch, an initiative of the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, formed part of a broader Entrepreneurship Engagement event attended by key stakeholders from DUT’s Technology Transfer and Innovation (TTI) unit, Universities South Africa (USAf), and the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA), among others. These organisations play a critical role in strengthening South Africa’s higher education entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Hosted at the DUT Indumiso Hall, the engagement created a platform for meaningful dialogue on embedding entrepreneurship across faculties and positioning innovation as a driver of social and economic transformation. The event aligns with DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, which prioritises innovation, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration.
A key highlight of the day was the official launch of the Inter-Faculty Competition, led by Innobiz DUT Centre Manager Ms Ntokozo Ngcobo alongside the Executive Deans. The initiative aims to ignite healthy innovation rivalry while providing structured support for student-led business ideas.
The programme brought together University leadership, international experts, government representatives, academics and student entrepreneurs to explore how institutions of higher learning can institutionalise entrepreneurship and strengthen innovation ecosystems. The engagement served as a strategic dialogue on shaping future-ready graduates and sustainable enterprises.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Dr Pinkie Ntola, DUT TTI Interim Director, and Ms Ngcobo, who outlined the purpose of the engagement: to deepen collaboration, unlock opportunities for students and create practical pathways from ideas to impact.
Reflecting on the importance of entrepreneurship in higher education, Dr Ntola emphasised that innovation is essential to bridging the gap between knowledge and real-world impact. She noted that, as a University of Technology, DUT carries the responsibility of developing job creators, solution builders and change makers who can contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s economic future.
A presentation by Ms Ntsiki Mkhize, Stakeholder and Partnerships Manager at Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), focused on the institutionalisation of entrepreneurship at South African universities. She underscored the importance of embedding entrepreneurial thinking into teaching, research and community engagement.
Ms Mkhize highlighted the role of innovation in addressing socio-economic challenges such as youth unemployment, food security, digital inclusion and township economy development. She stressed that universities must equip students not only to seek employment but to create it, thereby strengthening local value chains and promoting inclusive growth.
Bringing an international perspective, Ms Jaana Puukka, a Global Higher Education and Innovation Strategist, shared insights on building entrepreneurial universities that are globally connected yet locally engaged. She emphasised the importance of partnerships, innovation hubs and policy alignment in creating ecosystems that support student entrepreneurship at scale.
A panel discussion followed, focusing on bridging the gap between university research, student innovation and government policy. The panel featured Mr Nhlakanipho Nkontwana, former Head of Department at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs; Professor Pfano Mashau, Director of the DUT Business School; and Ms Mkhize.
Professor Mashau reflected on the value of such platforms in shifting students from theoretical mindsets to solution-oriented and opportunity-driven thinking. He noted that initiatives of this nature align directly with DUT’s strategic goals of fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and community engagement.
The programme also included a session by Professor Thomas Dobbelstein, Honorary Research Professor and Chairperson of the DUT Business School, titled Understanding Your Target Market and Their Core Needs. He emphasised that sustainable entrepreneurship begins with a deep understanding of customer challenges and market realities.
A forward-looking discussion facilitated by Mrs Dorinda Borg, Lecturer in the DUT Department of Somatology, created space for reflection and practical alignment of ideas shared throughout the day. Participants were encouraged to prioritise collaboration, accountability and cross-disciplinary participation to ensure entrepreneurship is embraced across all academic disciplines.
As DUT advances its ENVISION2030 agenda, engagements such as this signal a clear intention to nurture bold thinkers, empower student entrepreneurs and position the University as a leading entrepreneurial institution in South Africa and beyond.
Pictured: Stakeholders, DUT Entrepreneurship Coordinators, executives and staff members who attended the Innobiz DUT Entrepreneurship Engagement Session.
Samkelo Mtshali
