The Durban University of Technology (DUT) in partnership with the Dr Richard Maponya Institute for Skills and Entrepreneurship Development, will host the annual Dr Richard Maponya Lecture on Entrepreneurship at 18H30 at the Ritson Exam Auditorium, Ritson Campus, on Tuesday, 17 July 2018.
The lecture will be delivered by the internationally acclaimed engineer, educator and leader, Professor Feridun Hamdullahpur, who is the President of the University of Waterloo, in Canada. The topic of his lecture will be, ‘Fostering Talent That Will Lead the New Economy.’
The esteemed Professor Hamdullahpur has enjoyed an illustrious career within the research and higher education sector, which spans over 35 years, and he has been the President of the University of Waterloo since 2010.
Under his stewardship the University of Waterloo has remained Canada’s most innovative university for 26 consecutive years. He has devoted his tenure to fostering excellence in academics and research, with a dedication to developing an innovative culture committed to experiential education.
His current focus at the University of Waterloo is to expand the University’s lead in innovation, building on Waterloo’s long-standing and emerging strengths in co-operative education, research, entrepreneurship and equity.
Professor Hamdullahpur holds a PhD in chemical engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Istanbul.
Professor Hamdullahpur has authored hundreds of scientific and academic publications and he has supervised over 50 post-graduate students. He was named a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2014.
He has received several accolades for his selfless contribution to research and higher education, and in acknowledgement of his leadership in education and innovation, Professor Hamdullahpur was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in January 2013.
This will be the 3rd instalment of the Dr Richard Maponya Lecture on Entrepreneurship. In 2016, the first inaugural lecture was delivered by Professor Thandwa Mthembu, the current Principal and Vice-Chancellor at DUT. Last year (2018) the lecture was delivered by respected businessman and leader, Mr Moses Tembe, who is also the Co-Chairperson of the KZN Growth Coalition.
The Dr Richard Maponya Institute for Skills and Entrepreneurship Development was inspired by the Brazilian National Service for Industrial Apprenticeship, SENAI Institute, whose mission is “To promote vocational and technological education, the innovation and transfer of industrial technologies, contributing to increase the competitiveness of Brazilian industry.”
Dr Richard Maponya was conferred an Honorary Doctoral Degree by the DUT during the autumn graduation season, April 2015.
This partnership and annual lecture is also in line with DUT’s efforts to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship amongst its students.
Pictured: President of the University of Waterloo, Professor Feridun Hamdullahpur will deliver the annual Dr Richard Maponya Lecture on 17 July 2018 at Ritson Exam Auditorium, Ritson Campus.
Nduduzo Ndlovu
