Innovation Week to drive research with real-world impact

The Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences at Vaal University of Technology (VUT) recently held its first Innovation Week, an event dedicated to encouraging postgraduate students to see their research as a pathway to societal impact and innovation. Held in-person on October 24th, 2024, Innovation Week brought together postgraduate students, faculty members, and facilitators to explore how academic research could move beyond traditional boundaries to offer real-world solutions.

Innovation Week was designed to foster a shift in mindset within the faculty, encouraging students to view their research through the lens of applied science with the potential for social impact. With a particular focus on postgraduate students at the Master’s and Doctoral levels, the event emphasized collaboration between students and their supervisors. Together, they were asked to consider questions fundamental to creating impactful research: What societal problem does this work address? How can the solution be implemented and scaled? And, importantly, what steps are necessary to protect the intellectual property of these innovations?

To address these goals, the event opened with a series of workshops led by experts from VUT’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and external partners from the Innovation Hub. These sessions provided essential skills in problem and pain identification as well as intellectual property protection, giving participants tools to define the real-world challenges their research aims to solve. The workshops also highlighted how IP protection and commercialization can help bring innovative research from academia to the public sphere. This early focus on training laid a strong foundation for students and supervisors to reframe their projects as market-ready solutions.

Following the workshops, students presented their ideas through pitch-style presentations under the five primary research groups in the faculty. Each presentation was structured to encourage students to communicate their research in terms of practical, scalable solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The five research groups participating in the pitches included:

1. Organic Polymer Technologies and Environmental Research Group
2. Material Science Research Group
3. Cell Biology, Medical Plants, and Drug Discovery Research Group
4. Agricultural and Environmental Biotechnology (AEB) Research Group
5. 4IR ICT Research Group

Students were given an opportunity to pitch their work within these categories, focusing on clearly defined problem statements, the societal value of their solutions, and considerations for intellectual property protection. This approach allowed students to experience firsthand the shift from academic inquiry to applied science, where research could transition into meaningful contributions to society.

The event emphasized that true innovation in research requires not just academic rigor but a vision for translating research into community benefits. Dr. T.A. Walmsley, the Program Director, set the tone with an inspiring opening statement: “Consistency is an underappreciated form of intentional magic disguised as a mandarin.” This theme of intentionality in research resonated throughout the event. In her welcome speech, Acting Executive Dean Dr. N. Mkhumbeni further encouraged students to conduct research with real-life applications, saying, “I would like to encourage you to do research that has real-life application, that can change the society in which VUT exists.”

Martha Ikome, Senior Manager of the Technology Transfer Office, provided a talk on IP protection, reinforcing the need for researchers to safeguard their innovative ideas. “Intellectual property is the creation of the mind,” she stated, underscoring the importance of protecting ideas to ensure their safe journey from concept to commercialization.

Innovation Week culminated in an awards ceremony recognizing student achievements in two categories: Innovation and Research Excellence. The Innovation Awards celebrated those whose pitches best demonstrated the potential for real-world impact. Winners in the Innovation category included:

1. K. Mabalane from the Material Science Research Group
2. E.U. Ekwujuru from the Biosensor Research Group
3. K. Madzima from the 4IR ICT Research Group

The Research Excellence Awards recognized students who had shown outstanding intellectual rigor and academic achievement through conference presentations, community engagement, and publications. Winners included:

1. K. Mabalane (MApSci in Chemistry) – Published 3 papers
2. S.P. Onkani (PhD in Chemistry) – Published 2 papers, attended 4 conferences
3. W.R. Malatji (PhD in ICT) – Published 5 papers/book chapters, presented at 1 conference
4. E. Ekwujuru (PhD in Biotechnology) – Published 1 paper, attended a conference, and engaged in a community event
5. K. Chilwane (MApSci in Chemistry) – Attended 1 conference and submitted a paper for publication

In particular, W.R. Malatji stood out, winning the Overall Award in Academic Excellence for his exemplary contributions to research, underscoring the importance of both academic achievement and potential for future impact.

Innovation Week has started the ball rolling toward fostering a culture where research is viewed not only as a pursuit of knowledge but as a foundation for actionable solutions. By focusing on collaboration and the practical application of research, this event laid the groundwork for a future where VUT’s postgraduate students can leave with more than a degree—they can leave with an idea, a prototype, or even a solution ready for the world.

As the faculty moves forward, the enthusiasm and dedication seen during Innovation Week will serve as an inspiration for continued growth in both innovation and academic excellence. This year’s event marks a first step toward a future where research from VUT’s Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences not only advances knowledge but creates tangible value for society.