Durban University of Technology (DUT) is strengthening its entrepreneurship and innovation agenda through the appointment of a new Board for the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, bringing together expertise spanning academia, innovation, finance, governance, entrepreneurship, industry and enterprise development.
The appointment strengthens the strategic leadership capacity of innobiz DUT as it works to build an innovation ecosystem that connects ideas, entrepreneurship and enterprise development with opportunities for economic participation and societal impact.
The Board’s collective expertise supports DUT’s broader strategic direction and the ambitions of ENVISION2030, particularly the University’s focus on creating distinctive impact through knowledge, innovation, partnerships and engagement with society.
At the helm of the Board is Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at DUT. A Professor of Mechanical Engineering and accomplished researcher, Prof Nemavhola brings extensive academic and institutional leadership experience, with a research profile spanning engineering, medical science, mechanobiology, biomechanics and engineering education.
The Board includes Dr Pinkie Ntola, Interim Director of Technology Transfer and Innovation at DUT, whose expertise in materials science, intellectual property management, industry partnerships and innovation capacity development strengthens the connection between knowledge and innovation and their application beyond the University.
DUT Chief Financial Officer Mr Siboniso Shabalala brings extensive experience in financial management, auditing and corporate governance across the public and private sectors. His expertise provides important financial and governance insight to support responsible stewardship and institutional sustainability.
The Board also brings an international perspective through Prof Dr Thomas Dobbelstein, Professor of Market Research and Market Analysis at Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University in Ravensburg, Germany, and Honorary Research Professor at DUT. His experience in consumer research, market development and applied research adds valuable insight into markets, customers and evidence-based strategic decision-making.
Mr Bheki Zulu contributes more than 18 years of experience in human resources, management consulting, organisational leadership and governance, while Ms Jaana Puukka brings more than 25 years of international experience in higher education policy, entrepreneurship, innovation and regional development, including work with the OECD, European Commission and European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
The Board’s industry and enterprise development expertise is further strengthened by Dr Buntu Quwe, who brings extensive executive, commercial and technical experience across manufacturing industries, and Ms Nothando Mkhize, Deputy Chairperson of the uMngeni-uThukela Water Board, whose experience spans construction, business, infrastructure and governance.
Completing the Board is Mr Thokozani Kubheka, a strategic finance and governance executive with more than two decades of leadership experience across public institutions, higher education, innovation entities and development programmes.
The breadth of expertise represented on the Board positions innobiz DUT to strengthen the University’s capacity to support entrepreneurship, innovation and enterprise development. It also creates opportunities to deepen collaboration between DUT, industry, entrepreneurs, researchers and other stakeholders within the broader innovation ecosystem.
Through this collective leadership, innobiz DUT aims to strengthen pathways from ideas and innovation to enterprise development and sustainable impact. This includes creating opportunities for knowledge and innovation generated within the University to contribute to economic and societal development beyond the campus.
The appointment of the Board therefore represents more than a strengthening of governance. It is an important step in building the leadership and partnerships required to advance DUT’s entrepreneurship and innovation agenda and to translate knowledge and ideas into distinctive and meaningful impact in line with the ambitions of ENVISION2030.
Pictured: New Board members for the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Photographer: Khonzinkosi Magcaba
Sindiswa Khuzwayo/Khonzinkosi Magcaba
