EDHE Executive Leadership Workshop (ELW) 2022

on the theme of Commercialisation of Research

  • 16 – 17 March 2022

  • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Cape Town

This year, Universities South Africa (USAf) through the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education Programme (EDHE), and in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training and the British Council, invite you to an EDHE Executive Leadership Workshop on Research Commercialisation. This workshop is scheduled to take place from Wednesday the 16th to Thursday the 17th of March 2022 at the beautiful DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Cape Town near the bay at the base of Table Mountain with views of Devil’s Peak.

In the current and second phase of the EDHE programme, the intention is to leverage the strong existing network of CoPs, champions and stakeholder relationships to capacitate each university in a focused, structured and measurable way to achieve the three goals of EDHE:

  • Equip every student and graduate for economic participation through entrepreneurial activity;
  • Support academics across disciplines to develop entrepreneurship through teaching, learning and research; and
  • Support the development of universities as entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystems, which includes relevant policy development.

Universities are encouraged to strategically position themselves as innovative ecosystems within which entrepreneurial activity is supported, celebrated, and backed by relevant policy. The role of university leadership is key in this regard and EDHE needs to collaborate with vice-chancellors and deputy vice-chancellors to support this imperative.

In previous EDHE ELWs, the concept of the entrepreneurial university was explored with university leaders, also in the context of the university and national policies for entrepreneurship in universities. Some universities have taken steps towards the development of internal university policies for entrepreneurship, while others have focused on establishing entrepreneurship support facilities to address aspects of the vision for entrepreneurial universities.

In parallel, EDHE – also with the support of the British Council and the national EDHE Community of Practice for Entrepreneurial Universities – released the National University Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Baseline Report (2019), followed by a pilot report on the South African component of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Study on Advancing Entrepreneurial Universities in Africa (2021). A follow-up study with another 23 South African universities has been initiated under the leadership of the DHET-NRF SARChI Chair in Entrepreneurship Education and supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training and the Department of Science and Innovation. The latter study is also aimed at addressing some aspects that require further exploration following the earlier studies.

All of these developments are contributing to the knowledge base on entrepreneurship in SA universities and paves the way for university leaders to better position their institutions as entrepreneurial universities.

An engaging and relevant programme is planned, in consultation with the national EDHE Community of Practice for Entrepreneurial Universities. Initial expert talks and presentations will lead up to the interactive workshop component aimed at participants developing a roadmap for the commercialisation of research in institutions. The programme will leisure experiences that might contribute to a positive and relaxing experience for participants.

Your co-hosts are the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the national EDHE Community of Practice for Entrepreneurial Universities, Prof Eugene Cloete (Stellenbosch University) and Prof Eunice Seekoe (Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University).

The final programme will be shared soon.

The programme will start strictly at 8:30 for 9:00 on both days and will end on Thursday the 17th of March at 15:00.

The purpose of the ELW is to increase the number of institutions positioned as entrepreneurial universities while increasing an understanding and outcomes through the commercialisation of research.

Through the ELW, the intention is to provide an opportunity for Deputy Vice-Chancellors, deans and other university leaders in entrepreneurship development to engage on the subject of commercialisation.

The intended outcomes of the workshop include:

  • A shared understanding of approaches to commercialisation within entrepreneurial universities in the South African context; and
  • Equip and strengthen the expertise of the DVCs to promote commercialisation from research outputs
  • Showcase university leaders who were able to grow the number of projects that resulted in commercialised products, services or businesses
  • Equip university leaders for increased commercialisation output through the research, innovation and commercialisation pipeline in their institutions.
  • The outcome of the workshop – to be empowered for their task in facilitating the commercialisation of research.

  1. Who will attend?
    • Primarily DVCs Research and Innovation, and DVC’s Academic. Executive Deans, Deans & Directors of relevant entities at all faculties are also welcome to participate. EDHE can accommodate at least two representatives from each university.
  2. In-person or virtual?
    • The ELW is planned as an in-person experience and an opportunity to escape the onslaught of virtual meetings and events that mark our professional lives. Provision will be made available for virtual speaker participation.
  3. Where will this take place?
    • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 31 Brickfield Rd, Salt River, Cape Town, 7935
    • Phone: 021 404 0570
    • The hotel is 16 km from the airport and near the V&A Waterfront
  4. What about accommodation?
  5. How about travel arrangements?
    • Travel costs and arrangements are the delegates’ responsibility. EDHE provides meals and one night’s accommodation for the duration of the event.
  1. What about Covid-19?
    • Your safety is our concern and we will not compromise the health of our universities’ leadership. COVID-19 protocols will be implemented and adhered to at all times during this experience. For more information please visit: https://www.hilton.com/en/corporate/cleanstay/
  2. How do I participate?
    • Kindly register as a speaker on or before the 8th of March 2022 by completing the registration form: Click Here

Regrettably, we will not be able to accommodate late registrations.

  • For more information, please contact our Project Coordinator Ms Zamaswazi Shabangu, zamaswazi@usaf.ac.za.

Contact Details