Social Innovation for Societal Impact

EDHE Executive Leadership Workshop (ELW) 2023

The annual EDHE Executive Leadership Workshop 2023 focused on social innovation for societal impact

  • 21-22 June 2023

  • The Capital 15 on Orange Hotel, Cape Town

Every year EDHE hosts a two-day executive leadership workshop (ELW) for deputy vice-chancellors, deans, and executive directors, aimed at equipping them for the strategic aspects associated with developing an entrepreneurial university, both from a research and innovation and teaching and learning perspective.

We would like to invite you as our guests at this year’s ELW, scheduled for 21 and 22 June 2023 in Cape Town at The Capital 15 On Orange Hotel, set within Cape Town’s richly historical Company’s Garden and anchored by the beautiful Table Mountain and Lion’s Head.

We are inviting two representatives, DVCs or Executive leaders, responsible for entrepreneurship development in your institution to attend the fifth annual EDHE Executive Leadership Workshop (ELW) this year. We believe that executive leaders in universities can play a critical role as catalysts for entrepreneurship development in higher education.

The ELW aims to increase the number of institutions positioned as entrepreneurial universities through an ecosystem-focused approach.

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

The ELW is brought to you by Universities South Africa and the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education Programme (EDHE), and the national EDHE Community of Practice for Entrepreneurial Universities, in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training.

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 individual 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, deputy vice-chancellors, and executive leaders to support this imperative.

The workshop will be focused on strengthening innovation and commercialisation with social impact in mind. Some questions that will be considered include:

    • How might innovation be encouraged, already at the undergraduate level and across disciplines?
    • How might research and innovation result in commercialisation, specifically in the social sciences, humanities, and the arts?
    • How might university leaders establish an effective research, commercialisation, and entrepreneurship pipeline?
    • How might universities institutionalise entrepreneurship for social impact?

Within the context of the entrepreneurial university and its ecosystem/s, brief learnings will also be shared by previous winners of the annual EDHE DVC Award, in preparation for the EDHE DVC Award of 2023.

Primarily DVCs Research and Innovation, and DVC’s Academic responsible for entrepreneurship development within their institution.

The ELW is planned as an in-person experience only and an opportunity to escape the onslaught of virtual meetings and events that mark our professional lives lately.

The workshop will be hosted in Cape Town, Western Cape at the Capital 15 on Orange Hotel.

Address: Corner of Orange Street and Grey’s Pass, Gardens, Cape Town
Hotel contact details: +27 (0) 21 469 8000, 15onorange@thecapital.co.za
Distance from the airport: 20km, with an estimated 20 minutes drive without traffic.

The hotel offers distinctive architecture and exquisite luxury with facilities such as a signature Spa, fitness centre, pool, and deck, lounge and bar, complimentary shuttles to the V & A Waterfront, work desks, DSTV, travel desk, and Concierge. For an overview of the venue facilities and services please visit the website: https://ncfd0rdc.fwcrmsites.com/

Should you decide to extend your stay, you will have an opportunity to stroll down vibrant Kloof Street, a culinary destination full of trendy cafes, stunning restaurants, and cocktail bars. Next door is the Planetarium and the V&A Waterfront is a mere 3km away.

    1. Cancellation Policy: We kindly request that should you not be able to attend, you notify EDHE in writing about your cancellation on or before the 8th of June 2023. No later cancellations will be accepted.
    2. Liability: EDHE will not be liable for any accidents, losses, or damages incurred during the workshop. Attendees participate in the workshop at their own risk.
    3. Attendee Information: Please provide us with any specific dietary restrictions, and any special needs or requests prior to the workshop but completing the relevant section on the registration form.
    4. Confirmation: Once you have registered for the workshop, you will receive a confirmation email and any other relevant information.
    5. Attendance & workshop duration: To ensure that everyone benefits from the full content of the workshop, we kindly request that you plan your travel accordingly and stay for the entire duration of the workshop. We understand that travel and work plans can be challenging, but please make every effort to arrange your travel and work meetings in such a way that you can attend all sessions without interruption.
    6. Photo consent: Please make sure to complete this section on the registration form as requested. If you do not wish to have your picture taken or used in this way, please inform us in writing before the start of the workshop.

Please ensure that you have read and understood the terms and conditions outlined on the registration form before registering for the workshop. By registering for the workshop, you agree to abide by these Terms and Conditions. Read our terms and conditions

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation and we look forward to your active participation in the workshop. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

An engaging and relevant programme is planned in consultation with the national EDHE Community of Practice for Entrepreneurial Universities.

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

Programme duration:
Day 1, Wednesday 21 June: 10:00 – 17:00
Day 2, Thursday 22 June: 8:30 – 15:30

Contact Details

ELW 2023 Articles

Presentation Slides

EDHE Executive Leadership Workshop
by Mr Ryan Raven

Supporting and Creating the Development of a Culture of Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
by Dr Poppet Pillay

The Impact of a Healthy University Innovation, Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship Pipeline
by Prof Calie Pistorius

Department of Higher Education & Training
by Mr Shiba Diketane

Vehicles for the institutionalisation of entrepreneurship
by Sibusiso Moyo

Incorporating Design Thinking into the Curriculum and Solving Real Problems
by Mr Martin Bolton

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Amongst  Undergraduates and Across Disciplines “Setting the Scene”
by Mr David Phaho

How might Innovation be Encouraged, already at an Undergraduate Level and Across Disciplines?
by Mr Chad Lucas

Vehicles for the Institutionalisation of Entrepreneurship
by Ms Jayde Barends

UCT Knowledge Co-op
by Roshan Sonday

While Staying True to Purpose Focusing on Students
by Ahmed C Bawa

Key Takeaways and Actions
by Prof T Eugene Cloete

World Strategy Group Work
by Prof Thandwa Mthembu