Page 39 - Transformation Report 2021

The NRF appointed DVC: Research Innovation and manufacturing and automotive industry.
Internationalisation (RII), Dr Thandi Mgwebi, to lead a
proposal for the NRF to host the Global Secretariat Hub A successful bid was submitted for a five-year partnership
for Africa. This appointment occurred at a pivotal point in with the National School of Government to be anchored
the consolidation of the University’s work on Sustainability in the Raymond Mhlaba Centre for Leadership and
Science to further position the University as a champion Governance and the ETP.
in this field, with a uniquely African focus. The concept
has been further catalysed by the University’s recent In addition, the Leadership Academy in the Business
recognition in the 2021 THE Impact Ranking results and School continues to implement a programme to support
our ongoing relationship with Global Future Earth, whose the capacitation of the Local Economic Development
mission is to accelerate the transformation to global officials in Eastern Cape municipalities, as well as a New
sustainability through research and innovation. Venture Creation programme to train 1 000 unemployed
The NRF appointed DVC: Research Innovation and learners through the Retrenchment Assistance Programme
Internationalisation (RII), Dr Thandi Mgwebi, to lead a / Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services
proposal for the NRF to host the Global Secretariat Hub Sector Education and Training Authority (RAP/MerSETA)
for Africa. This appointment occurred at a pivotal point in Programme.
the consolidation of the University’s work on Sustainability
Science to further position the University as a champion The Student Life and Development and the Agriculture
in this field, with a uniquely African focus. The concept Student Society at George Campus forged an all-
has been further catalysed by the University’s recent encompassing partnership with the local Department of
recognition in the 2021 THE Impact Ranking results and Correctional Services to promote food security, provide
our ongoing relationship with Global Future Earth, whose service-learning opportunities for students, and facilitate
mission is to accelerate the transformation to global the training of inmates in basic agricultural skills. The
sustainability through research and innovation. Department of Correctional Services allocated land for
this project while the University will share leadership and
3. Innovation artisanal skills development capabilities.

Mandela University seeks to promote sustainability by 5. Reviewed Internationalisation
creating and sustaining an enabling innovation ecosystem Policy and Strategy
through our commercialisation vehicle, Innovolve. For
the period under review, direct support was provided to The expansion of the global footprint of the University
over 40 researchers and students in terms of intellectual specifically prioritises forging and strengthening South-
property protection and securing seed funding for South linkages and expanding our African footprint. The
technology development towards commercialisation. Baltic and Nordic countries were identified as strategic
Propella Business Incubator, our partner, provided partners, along with the Caribbean islands and South
technology and business development support for America. The International Office reviewed the existing
innovative ventures. At its new hub in Neave Township, it membership of international networks and associations
has supported 44 youth entrepreneurs, 22 female-owned to ensure that there was an expanded scope to influence
ventures and 50 Black-owned Small, Medium and Micro research agendas supporting the institutional research
Enterprises ventures since being launched in 2020. themes.

The ongoing licence agreement for Gammatutor The proposed new organisational design for the
intellectual property yielded a royalty income of R2.5 International Office was approved by MANCO in July and
million for the University, which was shared with the served at Council for approval. It is envisaged that the new
inventor, in accordance with our Intellectual Property model will shift mindsets from viewing internationalisation
policy. predominantly through a commercial lens to embracing it
as a catalyst for transformation.
4. Strategic Partnerships

The University signed a memorandum of understanding 6. International Student Mobility
(MOU) with the Automotive Industry Development Centre- Strategy
Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) towards providing relevant
industry-aligned degree programmes and other capacity Due to a variety of challenges linked to the pandemic,
building initiatives aimed at bolstering the automotive international student enrolments have significantly
manufacturing sector and provincial economy. The MOU declined over the last two years. This affects international
signing followed a series of discussions with AIDC-EC to study abroad and exchange students who travel to South
explore collaborative opportunities such as: reviving the Africa and spend a semester at the University. More than
research Chair for Automotive Engineering; enhancing 130 international study abroad and exchange students
the Uyilo e-mobility and ENTSA programme activities; had to cancel their enrolment for the second semester,
and partnering on Industry 4.0 activities as it relates to the leading to a revenue shortfall of R1.4-million.

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