Embracing for the future
Embracing for the future
Guest speaker: Professor Gordon Zide, the VUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Selina Rapulane
On Wednesday, 26 September, The Vaal University of Technology Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park in partnership with VUT Research Directorate hosted an Industry Day for the Electronic and Automation Industries. The aim of the event was to foster working relations between VUT academic staff/researchers and industry so as to improve innovations and the prospects of commercialisation.
The programe was brought about by the disconnect that exists between academia and industry in that in academia the concept of innovation is closely associated with the creation of new inventions, concepts and/or ideas for the purposes of adding to the body of knowledge and publications whereas in industry, it is regarded as the process of translating an idea or invention into goods or services that creates value that customers will pay for. The university recognised that this disconnect and difference in understanding leads to missed opportunities in innovation and collaborations.
The need was therefore indicated for a platform that will allow industry and academia to share information, resources and ideas that will lead to better innovation which speaks to societal and consumer needs and that can have some commercial value.
The Programme Director was Mr Maemo Kobe: Commercialisation Manager.
The programme was officially opened by Mr Jan Jooste: Director of Innovation. He welcomed all the guests and shared some historical background on the past three industrial revolutions and the role of the fourth one. He was then honoured with the important task of introducing the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of VUT, Prof Gordon Zide. Prof is a man who is proud of his institution and wishes nothing but the best for his employees, students and its community. He left the audience with a lot of food for thought as he mused about the benefits of collaboration.
“I’m always excited when I stand in front of lectures and people with ideas of disrupting the world and changing the status quo. When I received this invitation to come and open this session on Electronics and Automation Industry Day, I had to look back and ask: ‘Where do we really come from?’ We are now currently talking about the Fourth Industrial Revolution, but have we ever considered the first, second, and third Industrial Revolutions?” he asked.
Referring to Mr Jooste’s previous words, he said: “Jan is quite right when he says, in rewriting history, there is no way that we can put aside the first, second and third revolutions, because in order for us to understand where we are currently, we cannot set aside the historical significance of the past revolutions.
He further stated that there should be more noise made about VUT, research and the importance of research. “I honestly feel that VUT can be a small entity, but there are big things that are coming out of it,” he said.
In conclusion he challenged all of the delegates and stakeholders to imagine a future where the world is going to be driven by electronics and automation and where people will be driven by self-propelled cars!
Dr Simphiwe Nelana: Director: Research Directorate followed the address by speaking about the day at hand: “There is no way we can pursue innovation for our research if we do not do it at a design level. Things have changed. I’m not going to elaborate on what the purpose of this day is, I believe our engagements will determine why we are here. We want you to work with us, to take us through, to train us and engage with us. We have learnt something as the University, that there is a lack of integration between research and VUT’s definition of integrational research and provision. There seems to be a disconnect and we need to come together to work through it.”
He later mentioned that the day would be an opportunity for the delegates to get to know about the facility and consider potential collaboration.
Dr Joseph Molete: Executive Director: Technology Transfer and Innovation
Dr Joseph Molete: Executive Director: Technology Transfer and Innovation, introduced the VUTSGSTP by sharing its mission and significance to the Southern Gauteng region and the country at large. He also shared a lot of interesting information on the machinery and equipment that SGSTP has and explained its uses. Mr Robbie MacPherson: Technology Station Manager also added some information about the Technology Station and its importance to the sustainability of the whole precinct.
This was followed by presentations from delegates and stakeholders such as the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), VUT HODs and various industry representatives.
They all spoke with one voice; to explore potential collaborations and partnerships between VUT and industry, how they can foster relations, share ideas, challenges and opportunities around innovation and to give effect to the pull approach of commercialisation where innovation is demand and industry driven.
Mr Hendrick Van der Merwe: Operations Manager: TTI did the acknowledgements to officially conclude the programme which was followed by a science park tour and networking session over lunch.