VUT joins the much-revered U6 Plus Consortium of African Universities

The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) has officially become a member of the U6+ Consortium of African Universities, an international collaboration that brings together a diverse group of universities across Africa. This was confirmed at the Consortium’s 08^th International Conference which was held from September 10 to 12, 2024 at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).

This membership marks a significant milestone for VUT and highlights our growing commitment to academic excellence and global cooperation. The Consortium was initially launched in 2012 at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, with the goal of fostering academic linkages, promoting educational collaboration, and enhancing research opportunities among its member institutions.

Originally comprising six universities, the consortium has since expanded to include more than seven institutions, representing a broader network of academic exchange activities across the continent, with South Africa being represented by only VUT and Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Other member institutions include Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Kenya; University of The Gambia; University of Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Ilorin, Kwara State University and the University of Abuja, Nigeria.

The Consortium seeks to create multidisciplinary partnerships and promote research that addresses Africa’s developmental challenges. The theme of this year’s U6+ International Conference was “Research, Innovation & Technology for African Development”. This theme speaks directly to the consortium’s core mission of utilizing academic research to advance technological and social progress across the continent.

At the Conference, VUT was represented by a strong cohort of academics and administrators, led by the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, Commercialization and Internationalization, Dr. Speech Nelana. Dr Nelana also served as the Chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2^nd U6 Conference in 2014.

According to Dr Nelana, this development sets a new benchmark for VUT, as it opens doors for collaborative research, shared learning, and innovative projects that will benefit both the university and the continent. “We look forward to the opportunities that this membership in the U6+ Consortium of African Universities will bring and are excited to collaborate with our partner institutions for the advancement of education and research in the Africa.”

This latest move by VUT is an extension of the many other efforts by the University to boost its co-operation and partnerships with international peers as underpinned by one of its strategic objectives of strengthening international university alliances through engaged scholarships.

Below is the VUT delegation, made up of academics across all four faculties, whose presentations and active participation at the Conference showcased VUT’s dedication to contributing to the consortium’s goals and to the broader academic community:

• David Matsaung: A conceptual model to enhance strategic communication at local municipality: A case study of Emfuleni municipality.
• Kholofelo Chilwane, Rosina Nkuna, and Samkeliso Takaidza: Anti-inflammatory potential of Bidens pilosa extracts on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.
• Mbalenhle Ncongwane: Isolation and characterization of microorganisms with zearalenone removal ability.
• Irvine Langton: The nexus between supply chain traceability and supply chain resilience in manufacturing SMEs in South Africa.
• Nkosilathi Zinti Nkomo and Alfayo Alugongo: Mechanical Characterisation of a Banana Fibre / Recycled PET fibre Hybrid Composite for Furniture Boards Application.
• Keamogetswe Motsiane and Thato Phalole: Driving Innovation in African Public Relations by using Social Media as a Catalyst.
• Relebohile Alucia Mbatha and Nikiwe Monone: Connecting for change: The impact of ICT and media on Women’s Education, Economic Opportunities, and Rights in Africa.
• Kabelo Brian Matsaung: The impact of artificial intelligence on digital journalism: transforming news production and consumption in the digital age
• David Matsaung and Matla Ntsane: Enhancing assessment practices in Higher Education: A case study at a University of Technology.