The Vice-Chancellor Prof Thandwa Mthembu and DUT Management including the DVC from Research, Innovation and Engagement office (RIE) Prof Sibusiso Moyo, DVC from People and Operations Office Dr Machi, Director of Midland Campus DR Thabede, Deans as well as head of Departments, visited Midlands Entrepreneurship Centre offices and the Innovation Hub on the 28th of February 2019. The aim was to take management on a tour for them to comprehend the core operation of the centre and Innovation Hub, see infrastructure and also to engage with student entrepreneurs who are based at DUT Midlands.
After an informational State of the University Address at Indumiso campus, the VC and Management honoured the centre with their presence touring the offices of the centre. The Centre manager, Miss Nontokozo Ngcobo enlightened them about the current activities, the three units that are still work in progress namely: Agro-processing, Art and Tech unit and gave them a glimpse of the centre’s future plans. Afterwards, they all went outside to engage with student entrepreneurs who had stands where they exhibited their products. Forward Slash Projects, Classic food Enterprise, Quench Still water, Yummy Dairy, Ruth Concept Interior Design and PSX Holdings were the six student businesses that exhibited their products.
The guests then all went to the Innovation Hub for products testing and networking. Midlands Campus Director: Dr Thabede, did a brief introduction and welcomed the guests who were DUT management and Stakeholders. “This is a good initiative that I had never seen in any other university. It would be great if industries could support such initiatives” said Mr Zulu from ILAF. Among other things that the Vice Chancellor Prof Thandwa Mthembu highlighted that it is great that the centre is now open and operational. The VC also highlighted that if all students undergo through such programs they would be very far by now.
Sindisiwe Ndlovu
