Durban University of Technology (DUT) is pleased to announce its participation as one of the key partners on the MIT-Africa and South African Universities Program. This link aims to foster problem-solving and innovation approaches among South African students; enhance innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems in universities; develop among faculty competencies in state-of-the-art educational approaches, and an entrepreneurial outlook that promotes high impact research. As part of the framework the program uses a multifaceted framework, that includes several units at MIT and multiple South African universities.

The first part of this program includes Durban University of Technology (DUT), KwaZulu-Natal, Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) and University of South Africa (UNISA). The MIT students Nailah Smith and Nadia Waid, visiting DUT in July 2019 are focusing on a project to develop a new interferometer. To this end DUT has its hosts through the Engineering Faculty, that is Prof IE Davidson, Head of Electrical Engineering and Malesela Moutlana in Mechanical Engineering.

DVC: Research, Innovation and Engagement Professor Sibusiso Moyo, said: “DUT is proud to be part of this initiative which involves student exchange, participation in the Global start-up labs entrepreneurship workshop, opportunity to join the J-WEL higher education initiative, co-hosting and participation in MIT-Africa short courses and Faculty Fellowships.”

She also welcomed both the visiting interns to DUT and thanked both DUT hosting Departments. “My gratitude also extends to Mr Simphiwe Duma from Admond Capitol who is managing this relationship and Professor Hazel Sive from MIT for this initiative,” she said.

Pictured: DUT’s DVC: Research, Innovation and Engagement Professor Sibusiso Moyo, Nailah Smith (MIT student), Nadia Waid (MIT student), DUT’s Malesela Moutlana and Simphiwe Duma (Admond Capitol).

Professor Sibusiso Moyo