The University Incubator Consortium (UNIIC) is a joint initiative between 25 universities across 11 countries in Asia and Africa that aims to build capacity in supporting start-ups, promoting the exchange of knowledge and skills, and sharing resources.
As a global collaborative initiative to advance entrepreneurship development, UNIIC offers a diverse range of opportunities for participants to take their business ideas to the next level. UNIIC’s flagship programmes include collaborative research and book writing, business pitching competitions, business modelling webinars, hackathons and sharing best practices about university incubators.
Some of the key focus areas for the Africa-Asia Roundtable Discussion included:
- Establishing frameworks for collaborative research and innovation between African and Asian universities to address shared global and regional challenges.
- Encouraging capacity building for universities to enhance their ability to engage in cutting-edge research, entrepreneurship education, and innovative practices.
- Exploring policy avenues for creating joint funding programmes to support collaborative research, innovation projects, and entrepreneurial initiatives.
- Aligning collaborative efforts to address key challenges and sustainable development, leveraging the strengths of both regions.
- Advocating for sustainable collaborations between universities through long-term agreements, joint centres of excellence, and shared innovation hubs.
UMP Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso said that UMP, as the founding member, has been actively involved in UNIIC since its inception in 2022.
“The roundtable discussion aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among partners to enhance research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The hosting of this roundtable discussion could not have come at a better time for the University, as it follows our 10-year celebrations under the theme: Decade of Excellence and Creating Opportunities.”
Professor Mayekiso further said the discussion also coincides with South Africa's hosting of the G20 in 2025.
"The theme of the roundtable fits perfectly with some of the issues that the G20 will grapple with, including international financial stability, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.”
“Indeed, we have long passed the phase where research and innovation were disconnected from the lived realities of nations. It is precisely for these reasons that universities are called upon to play their role by contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
It is not difficult to appreciate that there are synergies between the Africa-Asia roundtable and the themes of solidarity, equality, and sustainable development.”
She further added: “As an engaged university, our institution places great value on partnerships, collaborations, linkages, and networks. We have identified these as both drivers and enablers in achieving our vision.
At a strategic level and in line with UMP’s Vision 2030, our goal is to make a pioneering, critical, and constructive contribution to the production and dissemination of knowledge.”
In closing, Professor Mayekiso mentioned that the institution is committed to using the university’s knowledge assets to actively and creatively promote a vibrant economic, social, and political democracy in which all sections of society, particularly the poor, can find a meaningful place.
“We strongly believe that knowledge and skills are key assets to enable effective advancement and deepening of the quality and scope of democratic life in the world,” she said.
Professor Henk de Jager, Chief Executive Officer, Technological Higher Education Network, South Africa (THENSA).
Delivering the keynote address was Professor Henk de Jager, Chief Executive Officer, Technological Higher Education Network, South Africa (THENSA), which is recognised as a vibrant, innovative consortium for advancing technology-focused institutions with a transformative societal impact.
THENSA’s mission is to facilitate and create national and international partnerships for transformation in Higher education and building capacity to achieve social and economic impact.
Professor de Jager said that THENSA’s focus is collaborations and capacity development of the 10 member institutions of higher learning in Africa.
He further mentioned that the purpose of THENSA is to build entrepreneurial universities in the Southern African Development Community and foster sustainable job creation and economic growth through entrepreneurship.
“We have created high-impact programmes with the focus of using entrepreneurship as a vehicle for transformation to address several challenges faced by the SADC region, such as low levels of job creation, start-up success and graduate employment.
The programme is aimed at building capacity within the higher education and training sector in South Africa, particularly in research innovation and commercialisation.
We also encourage knowledge exchange of best practices and business and engagement, strengthen student-led entrepreneurship ecosystems and empower students,” said Prof de Jager.
UMP Vice-Chancellor Professor Mayekiso during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with UNIIC members.
Another highlight of the Africa-Asia discussion two-day event included the launch of two books: Ecosystem and SMMEs’ Growth Trajectory: Evidence from Emerging and Transitioning Economies, and University Incubators and Startups: Evidence from Emerging and Transitioning Economies, written and edited by leading academics.
UNIIC also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the members. The agreement focuses on promoting knowledge and technology sharing between educational institutions. It will also enhance student and staff academic mobility, joint research and publications, and entrepreneurship activities.
The Discussion was attended by delegates from participating universities based in South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Eswatini and Nigeria.
Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures ©ChrisplPhoto.