The Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted the Innovation Indaba at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) this week. The 2022 DUT Innovation Indaba started on Monday and concludes later on Thursday (27 October 2022) evening with a gala dinner.
A number of dynamic presenters shared their research and innovation and provided insight into the ground-breaking work that they are doing. DUT students and entrepreneurs who were in attendance at the ICC also benefited from the advice shared by business leaders like Dr Nhlanhla Msomi, Chairman of AfricaBio, who delivered the keynote address on Monday morning. DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Thandwa Mthembu opened the Innovation Indaba and welcomed all delegates, speakers and exhibitors to the four-day event.
Pictured: A solar powered boat on exhibition at the Innovation Indaba, with Professor Ian Lazarus and his team from DUT.
Innovative and entrepreneurial are part of the DUT double-stranded helix DNA. The DUT Innovation Indaba relates directly to the university’s ENVISION2030 strategy. The second strand of the DUT DNA is people-centred and engaged.
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement (RIE) at DUT, Professor Keolebogile Motaung, hosted the first session that discussed “Case Studies for Commercialisation of Research.” The impressive panel of expert presenters included Ms Zimkhita Peter, CEO of Allan Gray and Dr Hajira Mashego, CEO of Fitness Junction, amongst other speakers.
Director-General of Science and Technology, Dr Phil Mjwara, delivered the keynote address on Day Two (Tuesday, 25 October 2022), in a session that also featured Ms Mandisa Cakwe from the Department of Higher Education and Training, Professor Urmilla Bob from UKZN, Mr Charles Nyabeze, Vice-President at the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation and Mr Sello Malinga, Business Development and Technology Transfer Manager at the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation.
Day Two also included a session chaired by Professor Gugu Mchunu, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences at DUT, that highlighted the Research Focus Areas at the university. The impressive presenter list included Professor Monique Marks, DUT Urban Futures Centre; Professor Francis Oluwole Shode, Biotechnology and Food Sciences at DUT; Professor Eric Amonsou, who presented on “Food Innovation with Indigenous African Crops,” Dr Ismail Rawat who spoke about “Wastewater for a Greener Tomorrow,” Dr Malesela Moutlana, DUT Department of Mechanical Engineering; Professor Innocent Davidson, Department of Electrical Engineering at DUT; Dr Gloria Uwaya, who presented “From Molecular Simulations to Measurement Science in Chemistry,” Professor Ian Lazarus who spoke about “Sustainable Energy Research towards Commercialisation” and Mr Deepak Maharajjh, from BioCiti Labs.
Pictured: The DUT Innovation Week poster.
Day Three of the DUT Innovation Indaba kicked-off with an impressive presentation by Dr Vuyisile Phehane, Executive: Bioeconomy Division, Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). This was followed by Ms Tugela Matubatuba-Dlamini, Department of Science and Innovation, who was the moderator of an informative and interesting session that focused on “International collaborative research and networking opportunities: South Africa – European Union Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Cooperation.” Former Harvard Medical School academic and researcher, Dr Luiz Zerbini, who is the Acting Director: Cancer Genomics at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, was joined by Professor Nandu Goswami, Director: Space Flight and Aging Research Consultancy from the Medical University of Graz in Austria, who both shared their world class research and innovation with the delegates, whilst Engineer and Attorney Ms Omphile Modibela from Afriqinnov8 and Mr Thabang Jase from NIPMO, presented on Intellectual Property. Professor Colin Thakur from DUT presented on “Marketing in the digital era” and Mr Shaun Ledlie, from the Drone Council of South Africa, highlighted the role that drones will be playing in our future.
Following the final round of speakers and presentations on Day Four (Thursday, 27 October 2022), the 2022 DUT Innovation Indaba will end with a Gala Dinner, which will also include the launch of the South African Research Management System (SARMS) and the unveiling of the new DUT Blazer. The DUT Registrar Dr Maditsane Nkonoane, will join the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: RIE, Professor Keolebogile Motaung, the Chief Information Officer Dr Progress Mtshali, the Executive Dean in the Faculty of Arts Design Professor Runette Kruger and the former Mr and Miss DUT, Nkululeko Mbatha and Lungile Ngcobo, who will be joined by Dr Mzwandile Khumalo, who will all feature on the evening’s programme.
Alan Khan
