The innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation invited over 50 entrepreneurship coordinators from various faculties within the Durban University of Technology (DUT); to participate in the entrepreneurship coordinators programme. The programme recently took place and was attended by representatives from various faculties including Arts and Designs, Engineering and the Built Environment, Applied Sciences, Management Sciences, Accounting and Informatics and Health Sciences.
The programme was aimed at engaging the academic faculties on their fundamental role and contribution to the formation of an entrepreneurial and innovative DUT community as per the institutions ENVISION2030 strategy map.
The programme commenced with introductions from all attendees which was followed by a welcome speech from the innobiz Manager Miss Nontokozo Ngcobo. Ngcobo presented an overview of the innobiz structure, its services, and achievements.
“The Centre looks for students with business ideas that can be turned to profitable business ideas, we want to help students turn their academic skills and the knowledge they learn from their respective courses into a business. Moreover, we do not only help them set up their businesses, but we also guide and support through industry specific mentorship and sector specific training to ensure that they have all the resources they need to succeed. Business is rough, lonely and you learn through mistakes hence the practical approach to business training and programmes,” noted Ngcobo.
She further commended entrepreneurship coordinators to fully committing themselves to this programme and for their willingness to contribute to the promotion of entrepreneurship in the institution.
“Coordinators are our eyes on the floor, they assist us in identifying innovative students who want to start businesses and act as a communication channel between us and the student. We appreciate your support in exposing students to entrepreneurship, we hope we will continue working and growing together,” added Ngcobo.
As part of her speech, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Sibusiso Moyo expressed the University’s wishes to infuse entrepreneurship into the academic programme through capacitating the academic staff with skills and knowledge in this industry using the ‘train the trainer’ approach.
“We want to invest in making the DUT staff more entrepreneurial and creating an environment where they can grow and be able to identify and pursue business interests,” Prof Moyo added.
Head of Entrepreneurship coordinators, Miss Nompumelelo Mthabela facilitated the Design Thinking Programme where the coordinators formed groups and identified problems within the institution and possible solutions to them. The coordinators discussed a variety of ideas and some interesting points into how the institution can be improved to encourage and accommodate an innovative community.
Pictured: Attendees at the Entrepreneurship Programme.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Nontethelelo Mzizi
