Page 11 - DUT 2025 Engagement Report Q1

3.4 INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
3.4.1 Collaborations with Industry Leaders and Organizations
The EBE’s Department of Construction Management hosted a two-day workshop in collaboration with the Construction Industry Training Board in February 2025. The event focused on safety measures for graduates and students entering the construction industry, attracting 200 participants. The workshop featured industry and academic speakers, offering valuable insights into workplace safety and professional development.
The FAI has actively supported student development,withVodacom awarding a R20,000 bursary to an IT student in the Code Like a Girl campaign, which promotes women in technology. FAI is also contributing to the AI National Skilling Project, aiming to train 30,000 youth in AI literacy, and continues to support the Southern Africa Netherlands Cyber School.
The FMS has partnered with MetPacSA to offer work experience opportunities for Operations students in post-consumer metal packaging recovery and recycling. MetPacSA has also sponsored the Go-Green Project, promoting sustainability awareness, while also faciliting the participation of students from the DIPAR1 Programme in an online session of the African Regional Forum for Sustainable Development, contributing to students’ understanding of Africa’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Architecture Department under EBE hosted the SACAP Roadshow in February 2025, engaging students and staff to promote professional registration, while the Department of Town
and Regional Planning collaborated with SACPLAN to create a promotional video showcasing town and regional planning education in South Africa.
The IWWT is advancing collaborations with organizations like Water JPI and the South African Association for Marine Biological Research to support advancements in wastewater treatment and sustainability practices. Several industry-specific projects, such as the SA Commodity Display Center in China, are aimed at linking South African youth entrepreneurs with international markets. DUT is also discussing the establishment of an AI Demonstration Lab in collaboration with Huawei to support the China-Africa Chinese+TVET Development Center.
The TTI has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with SolarMD and Vaal University of Technology Station, further strengthening academic and industry ties. Additionally, in collaboration with THENSA, CPUT, and six other universities, including Namibia University of Science and Technology, TTI launched the Southern African Entrepreneurship Venture Builder Fund.The initiative aims to promote sustainable entrepreneurship through mentorship and strategic partnerships. Three DUT mentees were selected to pitch their innovations in Cape Town in February 2025, focusing on solutions such as Water Free Goods, INAN Aeroponics Farming, and the Nootropic Drug project.
Further to this, the TTI hosted the South African Entrepreneurship Venture-Based (SAEVB) Roadshow in March 2025.This nationwide initiative, a collaboration between THENSA, Chemonics International, and the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund, integrated venture-building and challenge-based
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