Page 70 - UniZulu Annual Report 2020

Sustainable Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
Over the next decade, the government seeks to make South Africa a world leader in using strategy and innovation to improve activities of small businesses, as well as designing and creating appropriate technology platforms, research and
development coupled with infrastructural advancement that will facilitate rural and township entrepreneurs in the context of youth/unemployed youth entrepreneurship; student entrepreneurship; school leavers’ intention to become entrepreneurs; matric student entrepreneurship; and entire community involvement in entrepreneurship.
In line with this national development objective, the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law has developed a niche area focus centred on rural and township entrepreneurial research and/or indigenous knowledge systems.
The approach to human resource development is rooted in the need, on the one hand, to radically increase the number of women and people from previously disadvantaged communities entering into business, and, on the other hand, a strategy to maximise the pursuit of excellence in global
terms. The research proposed in the Research Niche Area (RNA) proposal will result in the development of early-career/ emerging researchers in the form of postdoctoral research fellows, as well as the training of postgraduate students (five MSc and five PhD students per three-year cycle). Additionally, the upgrading of staff qualifications in strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship that focuses on improving entrepreneurial activities is of paramount importance within this niche area.
The rural and township entrepreneurial niche area will create knowledge with practical relevance for the improvement of small business activities within the municipality. Government has identified the improvement of small businesses and the creation of more small businesses to improve economic growth and to create more jobs. Investment in small businesses is considered a long-term growth strategy to create employment.The rural and township entrepreneurial strategy for enhanced and sustainable livelihood RNA is thus highly relevant in the context of rural development, economic growth and job creation.
In alignment with the national research strategy, it is expected that establishing an entrepreneurship centre at UNIZULU will help develop young and old entrepreneurs in South Africa within the specialised area of improving and
11SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
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