Toolbox for academia and industry engagement
- Wits University
The Wits Innovation Centre (WIC) partnered with Afretec to workshop practical steps of collaboration.
The importance of Academia-Industry collaboration cannot be overstated. This joint initiative between the WIC and the African Engineering and Technology Network (AFRETEC) resulted in a comprehensive guide that serves as a foundation to strengthen ties between academia and industry in Africa.
A two-day workshop held in Braamfontein, South Africa, brought together academics, small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), and industry representatives for a series of enlightening keynote addresses and discussion sessions.
Delegates from across Africa participated, highlighting the need for more African case studies in entrepreneurship, the necessity for African investors committed to continental economic growth, and the recognition of Africa's unique cultural approach to entrepreneurship. The collaboration with AFRETEC proved invaluable, as representatives from various AFRETEC institutions contributed valuable contextual insights.
The workshop kicked off with a keynote address from Wits alumnus Dr Craig Wing, a global speaker and futurist. Wing's extensive experience in emergent futures thinking, business model development, and startup consultancy set the stage for discussions on the role of education in society. He encouraged delegates to look beyond traditional academic confines and explore innovative ways for academia and industry to engage. Panellist Mitchan Adams, founder and CEO of AIONS Creative Technology, expanded on this theme, discussing future job creation and self-employment opportunities. He urged attendees to embrace analytics and software knowledge as essential tools for the future.
The workshop aimed to outline practical steps for fostering collaboration between academia and industry. Significant progress was made in identifying key areas for engagement, including:
- Facilitating knowledge exchange and creating knowledge repositories.
- Conducting comprehensive market analysis, including friction points, alignment, and communication strategies.
- Establishing legal frameworks to support collaborative relationships.
- Implementing key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics with feedback loops.
- Promoting and disseminating the results of collaborative efforts to stakeholders within the quintuple helix.
Humanities is key to understanding STI
The second day featured Dr McLean Sibanda, a thought leader with extensive experience in investment management, science and technology, and infrastructure development in Africa. Sibanda provided valuable insights into the African landscape, discussing the challenges and opportunities for collaboration. He emphasised the importance of aligning the agendas of all stakeholders—government, academia, industry, and society—before embarking on collaborative efforts. He also highlighted the need to incorporate the Humanities to better understand the context in which science, technology, and innovation (STI) emerge.
Sibanda noted that the ambition for improved Academia-Industry collaborations aligns with the Science, Technology, and Innovations Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024) and the African Union's Agenda 2063, which aims to accelerate Africa’s transition to an innovation-led, knowledge-based economy. He suggested several industry support mechanisms that could enhance collaboration, including:
- Research and Development (R&D) Programs, exemplified by the partnership with Telkom, culminating in the Industry Solutions Lab initiative.
- Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, as demonstrated by Wits' success in replacing a WHO product with the homegrown SmartSpot, recognised for its significant social impact by the Innovation Prize for Africa.
- Development of enabling infrastructure.
People are key
A recurring theme throughout the workshop was the significance of people in fostering collaboration.
Beyond technological trends and academic theories, a shared vision, mutual trust, and commitment from all parties are essential for creating impactful collaborations. The insights gained from this workshop will serve as a foundation for future initiatives aimed at strengthening the ties between academia and industry in Africa.