VUT International Conference
The Vaal University of Technology will be hosting the South African Technology Network (SATN) 8th Annual Conference from 19 to 21 October 2015. The venue for this prestigious event will be the Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park in Sebokeng. The event will bring together academics, researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers and practitioners to share their knowledge …
The Vaal University of Technology will be hosting the South African Technology Network (SATN) 8th Annual Conference from 19 to 21 October 2015. The venue for this prestigious event will be the Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park in Sebokeng. The event will bring together academics, researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers and practitioners to share their knowledge and expertise from lessons learnt from real life experiences.
The conference will be opened by the Honourable Minister Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Small Business Development. In addition, some truly remarkable individuals will enlighten and challenge us with their insights on issues of Policy, Governance and Leadership Frameworks for Promoting and Sustaining Entrepreneurship; Curriculum Initiatives and Innovations for Entrepreneurship Education; Research and Innovation Platforms and Programmes for Promoting Entrepreneurship; International Case Studies and Experiences on Entrepreneurship Education; and Entrepreneurship Thinking; amongst others.
The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training; Mr. MC Manana will deliver a keynote address.
This conference comes at an opportune time when the world is facing a global economic crisis and entrepreneurship will play an enabling role toward the stability and restructuring of economic growth in many regions of the world.
Global trends also indicate that Science Parks are contributing towards the economy as national growth and research stemming from these entities are becoming increasingly dependent on the creation of small and medium-size enterprises, especially at local and regional level. Raising the profile of the university through the establishment of the VUT Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park as an agent of change enhances and promotes technological economic development in the region that supports industry and the community with technology that will back up their innovations and link all their training needs.
Presently, the VUT Science Park is abuzz with activity, including renovations as well as adding the final touches to the venues. Regular planning meeting are in progress to ensure that all goes well as sponsors, dignities, captains of industry and community leaders add to the final touches in preparations of a successful event. The theme of the conference is “Entrepreneurship Education for Economic Renewal”.
This is an international conference that will focus on entrepreneurship and how we can support and promote an entrepreneurship culture within our country and use this opportunity as a key vehicle to boost economic growth. In addition, numerous young students, entrepreneurs, co-operatives and SMME’s have been invited to exhibit their products and innovations.
“For VUT it’s not just celebrating the opportunity to host the 8th SATN Conference but also the importance of VUT, as a University of Technology, to launch and lay claim to its very own Science Park. This is the heartbeat of where all our production is done as well as relevant market research is undertaken. This will serve as our new business model. Unlike all other universities, VUT is located right on the boundary of all the surrounding townships. This offers us the opportunity to take their ideas, convert and develop their idea into tangible products and commercialise them’ said the Vice Chancellor and Principal of VUT; Professor Irene Moutlana”.
A jam-packed programme will include keynote speakers on each day, panel discussions and breakaway sessions. Especially selected speakers have been awarded the prestigious platform to address the delegates that have been drawn from our local shores and abroad to share their international case studies and experiences on Entrepreneurship in Higher Education from a global perspective.
Topics of discussion will include Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Business, with an aim of purposefully promoting and embedding attributes of entrepreneurial thinking and innovation. Presentation of Papers will be held during the parallel sessions. Here, delegates will be spoilt for choice with subjects such as Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Promoting an Entrepreneurial mind-set, The continuous improvement of the Intensive Product Development Programme using the Japanese Kaizen Strategy, Guidelines for the Integration of Entrepreneurial skills, A challenge-based approach to promote entrepreneurship among youth in an informal settlement and Conceptualisation of Entrepreneurship Education through Problem Based Learning at Universities of Technology.
The event has gained a lot of interest from all the South African Universities of Technology, government departments, industry, local entrepreneurs and academics alike. A boat cruise and a gala dinner will form part of the entertainment that is planned. We look forward to hosting our special journalist partners at the event and believe that it will be an enriching experience that will enhance the lives of all those in attendance.
