“Vaal University of Technology (VUT) welcomes Ayanda Mr Noma as Executive Director of Technology Transfer and Innovation, bringing extensive expertise in research commercialisation, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, and industry partnerships.”
10 June 2026 | Story by: Nontobeko Moimane| Picture: Peter Masela
7 minutes read time.
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) has welcomed Mr Ayanda Mr Noma as its new Executive Director for Technology Transfer and Innovation (TTI), a position he officially assumed on 1 June 2026. The appointment places him at the forefront of the University’s efforts to transform research, innovation, and creativity into meaningful social and economic impact.
With a career spanning academia, science policy, entrepreneurship, intellectual property management, and innovation commercialisation, Mr Noma brings a wealth of experience and a clear vision for the future. Yet his journey into the world of innovation was shaped not by a boardroom strategy, but by a personal lesson learned early in his career.
As a young researcher, he developed a novel method for monitoring phthalate pollutants in water at a time when no standard method existed. Although the work showed significant promise, the innovation was never protected through intellectual property mechanisms.
That experience sparked a curiosity that would ultimately define his career.
“I became fascinated by the bridge between discovery and application,” he said. “Technology transfer and commercialisation are not merely technical functions. They are fundamentally human functions that connect people, ideas, institutions, and markets in ways that create lasting value.”
From researcher to innovation leader
Before joining VUT, Mr Noma served as Director of Innovation, Technology Transfer and Commercialisation at Unisa, Innovation Manager at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), and Senior Policy Analyst at the National Research Foundation (NRF).
His professional journey has exposed him to innovation from multiple perspectives, from conducting research and shaping policy to supporting entrepreneurs and commercialising new technologies.
According to Mr Noma, each experience contributed to his approach to leadership.
“Academia taught me rigour and evidence-based thinking. Policy taught me that meaningful change requires patience and deliberate action. Entrepreneurship taught me resilience, while innovation management taught me how to balance strategy with implementation,” he said.
These experiences have shaped a leadership philosophy grounded in service, collaboration, and empowerment.
“I see leadership as creating opportunities, removing obstacles, and enabling others to do their best work.”
Why VUT appealed to him
For Mr Noma, VUT’s identity as a university of technology was one of the key factors that attracted him to the institution.
He believes the University occupies a unique position within South Africa’s higher education landscape because of its strong focus on applied research, industry engagement, and community impact.
“What attracted me to VUT is its commitment to practical solutions and real-world impact,” he said. “This is an institution that understands the importance of innovation that serves people and addresses real challenges.”
He also sees enormous potential within the Vaal Triangle’s industrial environment, where strong links between academia and industry can create opportunities for innovation driven growth and development.
Rather than viewing research as an end in itself, Mr Noma believes universities should play an active role in solving societal challenges and creating economic opportunities.
Turning research into real-world impact
One of Mr Noma’s key priorities is strengthening research commercialisation across the institution.
He believes researchers should begin considering the practical applications of their work long before projects are completed.
“Many innovations fail in what is often referred to as the valley of death, the stage between research and market readiness,” he explained. “We need support structures that help researchers navigate that journey successfully.”
His vision is closely aligned with VUT’s Strategy 2033+, which places innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal impact at the centre of the University’s future growth.
According to Mr Noma, technology transfer should help transform research outputs into products, services, businesses, and solutions that improve lives.
“Success should not only be measured by patents or agreements signed. It should be measured by the positive impact we have on people, businesses, and communities.”
An important part of this process will be strengthening awareness around intellectual property management and helping researchers understand the value of protecting and commercialising their innovations.
“Intellectual property is not merely a legal process. It is a strategic national asset. Researchers need to understand the opportunities that protection creates and how it contributes to innovation and competitiveness.”
Creating opportunities for student innovators
Mr Noma believes students are central to any successful innovation ecosystem.
He sees them not only as learners, but also as future innovators, entrepreneurs, and problem solvers capable of developing solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges.
“Students bring fresh perspectives, creativity, and energy. They are often closer to the problems facing society and can develop practical solutions to address them.”
To support this vision, he hopes to strengthen opportunities for student innovators through innovation laboratories, mentorship programmes, entrepreneurship development initiatives, and improved access to funding.
His ambition is for graduates to leave VUT equipped not only with qualifications, but also with the confidence and skills needed to create opportunities for themselves and others.
“The future belongs to those who can identify opportunities and create solutions. We want our students to have the confidence and capability to build sustainable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to economic development.”
Drawing on his own entrepreneurial experience, he encourages aspiring innovators to remain focused on solving genuine problems.
“Fall in love with the problem, not the solution. The market will guide you. Listen carefully, adapt continuously, and learn from every experience.”
Partnerships that make a difference
Throughout his career, Mr Noma has worked extensively with partners across South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
He believes collaboration will be critical to unlocking VUT’s innovation potential.
“The challenges facing society today are too complex for any one institution to solve alone. Collaboration is essential.”
He sees significant opportunities to deepen partnerships with industry, government, communities, research institutions, and international innovation networks.
Particular opportunities exist within sectors such as manufacturing, engineering, petrochemicals, and energy, all of which have a strong presence within the Vaal Triangle.
By strengthening these relationships, Mr Noma believes VUT can create new pathways for research collaboration, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
Looking ahead
As he begins his tenure at the University, Mr Noma says his immediate focus will be on listening, learning, and understanding the strengths that already exist within the institution.
His priorities for the first year include strengthening intellectual property management systems, improving industry engagement, supporting staff development, and establishing clear measures of success for the TTI directorate.
Looking further ahead, he envisions a thriving innovation ecosystem where researchers routinely commercialise their work, students launch successful enterprises, and the South Gauteng Science and Technology Park becomes a recognised hub of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Most importantly, he hopes the impact of VUT’s innovation agenda will be visible far beyond the University’s campuses.
“Innovation should not exist in isolation. It should improve lives, create opportunities, and contribute to sustainable development. If, in five years, we can point to communities and enterprises that are better off because of the work we have done, then we will know we have succeeded.”
With a strong background in innovation leadership and a passion for creating meaningful impact, Mr Ayanda Mr Noma’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Technology Transfer and Innovation at VUT, one focused on ensuring that ideas do not remain on paper, but become solutions that shape industries, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for future generations.