Page 21 - DUT 2025 Engagement Report Q2

during Africa Day, five incubatees exhibited their products, celebrating cultural diversity while reinforcing the value of student entrepreneurship.
2.6.3 Technological Advancements and Patents
DUT is making significant strides in technological innovation and intellectual property development, as demonstrated by the following initiatives:
MKRI–MerSeta–DUT Smart Lab and Robotics Innovation Hub: In June 2025, DUT hosted the official launch of this collaborative hub, in partnership with the Moses Kotane Research Institute and MerSeta. Coinciding with Youth Day, the launch featured a keynote address encouraging DUT students to embrace innovation in Artificial Intelligence and robotics. This strategic partnership is designed to drive technological development and enhance digital skills among youth, positioning DUT as a key player in the future of technology.
Advancing Intellectual Property: The Technology Transfer and Innovation Unit is currently advancing eight intellectual property disclosures toward patent protection, collaborating with the law firm Adams & Adams.These disclosures represent innovative outputs from various faculties, reflecting DUT’s commitment to securing and commercializing cutting-edge technologies.
Inventions Under Registration: The inventions under registration include a diverse range of innovations: a multifunctional backpack, a digital ATL AI management system, a direct application portal, a wireless electronic karate scoring system, a litter picker, an online water soiling level transducer, a multi-purpose greywater conservation plant, and a continuous/uninterruptible power feed changeover switch. Each innovation has been strategically filed under appropriate intellectual property classifications, including functional and aesthetic registered designs, provisional patents, and trademarks.
Compliance and Legal Protection: These disclosures are rigorously evaluated to ensure compliance with DUT’s Intellectual Property Rights Policy and the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly
Financed Research and Development Act (IPR Act No. 51 of 2008). Through its partnership with Adams & Adams, DUT ensures robust legal protection for these inventions, enhancing their commercial viability and contribution to socio-economic development.Additional disclosures remain under institutional review and will be reported upon approval.
Clinic Kiosk Innovation Project:The Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering has initiated a Clinic Kiosk Project, focusing on developing a self-help kiosk system designed for South Africa’s primary healthcare sector.This project aims to leverage technology to improve queuing and service delivery at clinics, thereby enhancing patient flow and service efficiency.
Hydrogen-Powered Boat Project:The Department of Electrical Power Engineering has launched a new project involving the construction of a hydrogen-powered boat, with ongoing collaboration with the Faculty of Applied Sciences. This initiative represents a significant step toward advancing sustainable energy technologies and providing students with hands-on research and development experience in the field of renewable energy.
DUT’s commitment to technological advancement and intellectual property creation is evident through initiatives like the MKRI- MerSeta-DUT Smart Lab and Robotics Innovation Hub, as well as the pursuit of patents across diverse fields. The university’s focus on supporting innovations like the Clinic Kiosk Project and the Hydrogen-Powered Boat Project, along with its contribution to projects like the HIRAX radio astronomy project, underscores its dedication to finding practical solutions to societal challenges while fostering research and development. DUT’s collaborative approach, as seen in partnerships with industry, academia, and international organizations such as the EU-AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Sustainable Energy, positions it as a key contributor to technological progress and sustainable development, both locally and globally.
Pictured: Dignitaries at the Smart Robotics Laboratory launch.
2025 Quarter 2 Engagement Report 19