“VUT’s leadership retreat ignited a bold shift toward entrepreneurship, uniting leaders to co-create a sustainable ecosystem for technopreneurial graduates.”
26 August 2025 | Story By: Manani Hlongwane | Picture: Supplied
2 minutes read time.
Over two purposeful days, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) took a bold step towards reimagining its approach to entrepreneurship through a leadership retreat held on 18–19 August 2025 at Khaya Ibhubesi Conference Centre. The retreat brought together Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs), Deans, Heads of Department, and key staff, united by the goal of co-creating a sustainable, institution-wide entrepreneurship ecosystem aligned with VUT’s ambition to produce technopreneurial graduates.
From the outset, the tone was clear: this was not just another workshop. Dr Simphiwe Nelana, DVC: Research, Innovation, Commercialisation and Internationalisation, described the retreat as “long overdue,” urging a decisive shift from conversation to coordinated action. He emphasised the importance of documenting outcomes for Mancom and proposed a broader institutional session to present the roadmap. His call-to-action positioned entrepreneurship not as a peripheral initiative, but as a cornerstone of innovation, graduate employability, and national development.
Dr Mukondeleli Kanakana-Katumba, DVC: Teaching and Learning, underscored the interdependence of teaching and research in advancing entrepreneurship. She challenged participants to reflect on the type of graduate VUT is shaping and stressed that entrepreneurship must be embedded in curricula through innovation-led practices such as problem-based learning and capstone projects. In her words, entrepreneurship is not optional but essential in the context of youth unemployment, technological disruption, and slow economic growth.
External perspectives added further depth to the discussion. Ms Zana Boshoff from Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) outlined national opportunities for universities to act as catalysts for change. Guest speakers from the University of South Africa (UNISA), Nelson Mandela University, and North-West University shared successful models that balance collaboration, student focus, and resource mobilisation.
A pivotal moment came during the ecosystem-mapping exercise, facilitated by Mr Maemo Kobe, Acting Executive Director of Technology Transfer and Innovation. Participants identified VUT’s strengths, gaps, and opportunities, moving from theory to practice through breakout sessions that produced a draft model for a university-wide entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Day two built on this momentum, refining the framework and clarifying roles and responsibilities. A sense of shared ownership emerged, alongside recognition that entrepreneurship is not the task of a single office, but a university-wide mission anchored in collective purpose. Participants committed to concrete steps, timelines, and follow-up actions, with a two-month feedback session scheduled to track progress and refine the action plan.
The retreat signals the beginning of a more deliberate and unified approach to entrepreneurship at VUT. With a shared vision and transparent framework, the university is well-positioned to lead in embedding entrepreneurship and innovation in higher education. The road ahead will demand collaboration, courage, and consistent action, but the groundwork has been firmly laid.