The workshop, themed Cultivating Entrepreneurship Qualities for Enhanced Innovation and Productivity, sought to create a motivated and mission-driven workplace where academics contribute insights for social innovation.
Vice-Chancellor and Chairperson of the CFERI Advisory Board, Professor Thoko Mayekiso, reaffirmed UMP’s commitment to promoting responsible entrepreneurship, innovation, and excellence, highlighting the importance of building a collaborative workforce.
“The workshop equips staff with the skills to unlock students' creative and entrepreneurial potential, advancing the university’s goal of fostering a culture of problem-solving and innovation.
“Entrepreneurship is a vital source of change, and we are committed to preparing our students to make meaningful contributions to society. Our staff must nurture students, encouraging them to engage actively with their entrepreneurial potential,” said Professor Mayekiso.
She also reflected on UMP’s core values: “These values are at the heart of everything we do, guiding the University’s vision of becoming an African leader in creating opportunities for sustainable development through innovation.”
The workshop was aimed at equipping staff with the skills to unlock students' creative and entrepreneurial potential, advancing the university’s goal of fostering a culture of problem-solving and innovation.
Collaborative Research and Entrepreneurial Solutions
In a session titled Collaborative Research for Social Change: Engaging Communities for Entrepreneurial Solutions Addressing Local Challenges, Dr Naledi Nthite, Director of Research Management at UMP, emphasised the importance of research partnerships.
“Collaborative research means not working in isolation. You gain new skills and knowledge from others, even outside your immediate environment. It’s essential to engage with community organisations and the private sector to conduct research that addresses real-world problems.”
Dr Nthite further stressed the importance of impact-driven research:
“Our research must go beyond academic publications and conferences. It should address societal challenges, influence policy, and create tangible solutions. We need to translate research into social and entrepreneurial interventions that can be scaled for broader application.”
Professor Chux Gervase Iwu, Chair of the ISBDG at the University of the Western Cape said entrepreneurship education must be extended to fields such as engineering and agriculture.
Fostering Innovation and Autonomy
Mr Billy Bokako, Senior Manager at SEDA, highlighted the importance of creating an environment that nurtures innovation, creativity, and autonomy among employees.
“Encourage autonomy by giving employees the freedom to make decisions and take ownership of their projects. This builds confidence and problem-solving skills while fostering a culture of innovation, he adds advocating for initiatives that inspire creativity," he added.
“Regular brainstorming sessions, hackathons, or innovation challenges can inspire new ideas. Continuous learning through workshops, courses, and mentorship programmes is essential for professional development.
Celebrate risk-taking, and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Leadership must model entrepreneurial behaviour – diverse perspectives lead to innovative solutions. It’s also crucial to create safe spaces where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and have the necessary resources to bring them to life.”
Staff and academics are encouraged to host brainstorming and innovation challenges to inspire new ideas.
Embedding Entrepreneurship Across Disciplines
Professor Chux Gervase Iwu, Chair of the ISBDG at the University of the Western Cape, emphasised the need to integrate entrepreneurship into education to address both academic and practical challenges.
“Entrepreneurship education should not be limited to business programmes. It must extend to fields such as engineering and agriculture, preparing graduates to think entrepreneurially, whether they start businesses or seek employment.”
He highlighted the importance of fostering entrepreneurial thinking from an early stage:
“An entrepreneurial mindset equips students to make meaningful contributions to society and the economy. Continuous improvement, regular feedback, and collaboration with other institutions are essential to advancing entrepreneurship education.”
In his closing remarks, Professor Iwu urged universities to adopt differentiated curricula and teaching methods that promote practical problem-solving and innovation, ensuring that entrepreneurship education remains relevant and impactful across all disciplines.
Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures by JB Creative Cinema.