DVC Research, Innovation and Partnerships

Dr Prins Nevhutalu

Tshwane University embraces the culture of research and innovation, and promotes strategic partnerships to enhance its internal research efforts. Research and Innovation are the heartbeat of this university and strategic partnership a key lifeline in these efforts, as encapsulated in the mission of the university. On various fronts the institution is proactive and futuristic in its research efforts and outlook, breaking ground on new and future science and technology challenges. TUT is also making its mark in responding to national and global challenges such as alternative energy, food and information technology. It has clearly defined focus and niche areas, which not only position the institution strategically in the national research and innovation system, but also gives it an edge in applied research.

The institution also boasts a steadily rising galaxy of research leaders whose spin-offs are manifest not only in their individual research outputs, but also in an increase in postgraduate graduations. TUT also encourages and demands publishable research outputs by post-graduate students, which also boosts its publication profile and inculcate the culture of research. Concerted efforts are mounted to maintain and improve the essential research infrastructure. TUT is part of the hub of cosmopolitan city of Tshwane and enjoys multicultural campus environment, where international academics and students converge to enhance the research culture. We provide enabling environment for people to optimize and actualize in their research and innovation endeavors and aspirations.

Director of Research and Innovation

Dr Mandla Msibi

 TUT's vision is to be a quality-driven university of technology at the cutting edge of innovation. One of the strategic goals in achieving this vision is to enhance the development of capacity, knowledge, the economy and society, through focused engagement, research and innovation (R&I).  

As a new university of technology the focus is on the development of R&I capacity in strategically selected areas of strength (niche areas) that are relevant to national and regional needs, priorities and opportunities. Staff development, increasing the number of postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, strengthening leadership and platforms for R&I, building an enabling environment and institutional culture for R&I, facilitating knowledge transfer and commercialization and increasing R&I funding and output are some of the priorities. TUT is continuously seeking to improve the systems and incentives to support these priorities. All our R&I endeavors are supported and sustained through collaborative networks and partnerships. 

R&I is regarded as an integral part of the activities of all academic staff. Not only does it ensure authoritative instruction with a career focus, but it also enhances the quality of teaching, contributes to the development of technology and makes the University's expertise available to the broader community. By its very nature, R&I need to comply with international standards to be able to make a credible contribution to South African society. In exploring new avenues of R&I excellence, TUT is committed to the highest quality. For this purpose, we benchmark our efforts against those of other leading institutions, both locally and internationally.

As many of the higher education institutions in the country TUT also faced many challenges over the past five years due to the changes in the higher education landscape. Yet, we managed to embrace these challenges and over this period managed to, name a few, attract excellent R&I expertise, substantially increase the number of postgraduate graduations, almost double the production of subsidized research output units, receive recognition for R&I and technology transfer in various ways and to engage in a number of strategic partnerships that enhanced our internal research efforts.