In a bid to strengthen international collaboration, the JAMK University of Applied Sciences from Finland and the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation on Tuesday, 02 June 2026 hosted a delegation from JAMK during an entrepreneurship and innovation information-sharing session held at the DUT Indumiso Campus.
The engagement focused on strengthening cooperation between the two institutions and exploring opportunities for collaboration across key areas including entrepreneurship development, student and staff mobility, innovation ecosystems, research collaboration and broader international cooperation.
The session brought together academic and innovation stakeholders from both institutions, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing entrepreneurship and innovation-led development within higher education.
Ms Lorna McCullough, DUT Ecotourism Senior Lecturer, welcomed the delegation and highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation within DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, noting that these priorities remain central to the university’s institutional vision and development agenda.
The Finnish delegation, led by Dr Sunday Adewale Olayele, emphasised the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in addressing global challenges, stating that entrepreneurship and innovation are now essential across all fields of study.
He commended DUT’s work in entrepreneurship development within the South African context and encouraged a stronger focus on social entrepreneurship, innovation-driven learning and increased opportunities for students to access funding and industry networks.
Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo, innobiz DUT Centre Manager, said the visit was important in strengthening the existing partnership with JAMK while opening new opportunities for collaboration, including student exchange programmes and joint academic initiatives.
She highlighted the complementary strengths of the two institutions, noting that DUT provides a large and dynamic student population, while JAMK offers strong infrastructure and international exposure opportunities for students and staff.
Mr Ouli Pekka, a specialist in artificial intelligence and digital innovation at JAMK, shared insights on how Finland uses technology-driven solutions to address societal and economic needs, noting that innovation must always be shaped by local context and national realities.
He encouraged students to use their academic environment as a platform to test, develop and refine ideas that respond to real-world challenges.
Mr Jarkko Immonen, Senior Lecturer at JAMK School of Business, said his focus is on supporting students to establish their own companies, noting that several student-led ventures have already been successfully launched through the programme.
One of the beneficiaries of the partnership, Mr Luyanda Majozi, founder of streetwear brand Enigmatic Cotton, shared his experience as an exchange student in Finland. He said entrepreneurship is deeply embedded in Finnish education and that working with international peers broadened his perspective and strengthened his entrepreneurial approach.
He added that the experience challenged him personally and professionally and enabled him to apply global insights to his business in South Africa.
Dr Xolani Mhlongo from the DUT Department of Nursing said the department is actively exploring ways to integrate entrepreneurship into its curriculum in response to graduate unemployment challenges. He noted that students are being encouraged to develop innovative ideas that can be transformed into viable business opportunities.
The visit reaffirmed the growing partnership between DUT and JAMK University of Applied Sciences, with both institutions committed to expanding collaboration in entrepreneurship, innovation and global academic exchange.
Pictured: The innobiz DUT staff, led by Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo, alongside the visiting delegation from JAMK, Finland.
Photographer: Khonzinkosi Magcaba.
Samkelo Mtshali
