South Africa’s entrepreneurial leadership took centre stage in Thailand as Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo, Manager of the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, joined global business leaders as a featured speaker, facilitator and coach at the Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) Global Entrepreneurship Camp 2026.
The prestigious international programme brought together student innovators and entrepreneurship experts from more than ten countries under the theme “Sustainable and Resilient Communities: Innovating for a Healthier Planet and People.”
From 28 January to 9 February 2026, Ms Ngcobo led a group of DUT student entrepreneurs to the camp, demonstrating the University’s commitment to developing adaptive, entrepreneurial thinkers capable of operating in international innovation ecosystems.
Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo, innobiz DUT Centre Manager, engaging with student entrepreneurs and guests during her presentation on “Ideation for Innovation Solutions” at the recently concluded SUT Global Entrepreneurship Camp 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Opening her address, Ms Ngcobo shared DUT’s strategy for producing entrepreneurially minded graduates. She highlighted the strong executive support provided by DUT leadership, led by Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, in transforming the institution into an entrepreneurial university that goes beyond the traditional teaching and learning mandate. Her remarks positioned DUT as a distinctive higher education model where enterprise development is integrated into the academic journey.
Ms Ngcobo’s session on “Ideation for Innovative Solutions” was delivered with passion and precision. Speaking to a global audience, she introduced practical business tools, including the effectuation process and problem-based innovation frameworks. Through examples of young international entrepreneurs and DUT student success stories, she illustrated how structured entrepreneurial thinking leads to real-world impact. Her facilitation style encouraged continuous participation, turning the session into a dynamic exchange of ideas.
She shared the platform with internationally respected leaders, including Dr Mullika Sungsanit, Head of the Centre of Excellence for Entrepreneurship at SUT; Mr Lars Andersson, Head of Innovation and IP Management at Technopolis; Mr Radtasiri Wachirapunyanont of the Tara Climate Foundation; and Dr Panachit Kittipanya-ngam, CEO of Ztrus.
In a special acknowledgement, Dr Sungsanit expressed deep appreciation for her nine-year professional collaboration with Ms Ngcobo, commending her excellence, consistency and passion, and highlighting how her leadership continues to influence global entrepreneurship education.
With more than 15 years of contribution to entrepreneurship development, Ms Ngcobo has been a driving force behind South Africa’s innovation ecosystem. As the founding leader and Manager of the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, she has built one of the country’s key university-based platforms for start-up incubation, mentorship and enterprise acceleration. Her work connects academia, industry and global networks, strengthening opportunities for young entrepreneurs and solidifying her reputation as a leading force in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Her leadership extends across multiple DUT departments and faculties, embedding an entrepreneurial culture across the institution and reinforcing DUT’s mission to produce graduates who create opportunities rather than wait for them.
At SUT 2026, Ms Ngcobo’s impact extended beyond the classroom. It was evident in the confidence of the DUT students she mentored, who engaged with peers from around the world as emerging global innovators. For a leader who has long worked behind the scenes building platforms for others, her presence on this international stage marked a powerful recognition of her influence.
Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo continues to stand as one of South Africa’s most significant yet humble architects of entrepreneurship development, a bridge between local talent and global opportunity and a champion of excellence driven by passion, consistency and purpose.
Pictured: Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo, innobiz DUT Centre Manager, during her presentation on “Ideation for Innovation Solutions” at the recently concluded SUT Global Entrepreneurship Camp 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Samkelo Mtshali
