The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has been awarded a prestigious national contract by Universities South Africa (USAf) under the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education Programme (EDHE), further cementing its leadership in entrepreneurship, innovation, and policy-focused research within the higher education sector.
Entrepreneurship is increasingly recognised as a critical lever for addressing youth unemployment and driving inclusive economic growth in South Africa. Through initiatives led by USAf and EDHE, universities are being positioned as key drivers of innovation, enterprise development, and economic participation across the national landscape. In this context, DUT’s appointment signals both institutional excellence and national confidence in its ability to lead complex, sector-wide initiatives.
The 15-month contract mandates DUT to lead a strategic, two-phase national project aimed at strengthening and harmonising entrepreneurship across South Africa’s 26 public universities. The project will commence with a comprehensive policy scan, followed by the development of a National Policy Guidelines Framework on Entrepreneurship in Higher Education.
The initiative will be undertaken by a multidisciplinary team led by Prof Fulufhelo Nemavhola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at DUT, as project leader, together with other team members as detailed: Prof Pfano Mashau, Prof Rendani Maladzhi, Prof Dlamini, Dr Nomcebo Mthombeni, Dr Pinkie Ntola, Mr Solomon Nyamurima, Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo, Ms Borg and Ms Dlangalala.
Commenting on the significance of the award, Prof Nemavhola said; “This project represents a critical step towards strengthening entrepreneurship as a core pillar of the higher education system in South Africa. It is also, in a meaningful sense, a recognition of the important work that DUT continues to do in advancing entrepreneurship, innovation and societal relevance. In developing a cohesive and evidence-based policy framework, we aim to support universities in fostering innovation, nurturing entrepreneurial talent, and contributing meaningfully to economic growth and societal development.”Phase 1 of the project will involve an in-depth, sector-wide review of existing institutional entrepreneurship policies, strategies, and frameworks. This diagnostic phase is designed to identify emerging trends, systemic gaps, barriers to implementation, and examples of best practice. It will also include extensive stakeholder engagements and the development of key analytical instruments, such as a policy matrix, alignment dashboard and institutional commitment index.
The project further responds to a recognised need for coherent and standardised entrepreneurship policy frameworks across South Africa’s universities, ensuring more equitable and effective implementation of entrepreneurship development initiatives across the sector.
Phase 2 will focus on translating these insights into a robust and future-oriented National Policy Guidelines Framework. This framework will be aligned with South Africa’s broader development priorities and the evolving mandate of higher education institutions. The phase will include stakeholder validation workshops, a national colloquium and the development of a dissemination toolkit to support sector-wide implementation.
Aligned with DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, the project reinforces the university’s commitment to innovation, societal impact and the development of entrepreneurial graduates equipped to contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Reflecting on the broader academic contribution of the project, Prof Pfano Mashau added; “This initiative provides an important opportunity to consolidate institutional knowledge and best practices in entrepreneurship across the sector. Working collaboratively will be instrumental to developing a framework that is both contextually relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of higher education and the economy.”
This national award not only recognises DUT’s research and innovation excellence but also positions the university at the forefront of shaping a coordinated entrepreneurship ecosystem across South Africa’s higher education sector. As we contribute evidence-based policy solutions, DUT will be advancing the role of universities as catalysts for innovation, economic participation and societal transformation, empowering graduates to become active drivers of change within society.
Pictured: Prof Fulufhelo Nemavhola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at DUT.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile
Prof Pfano Mashau
