Page 20 - Annual Report A4

ollaboration and strategic
partnerships were the order
Cof the day at the launch and
5-year celebration of the Gibela

Research Chair in Manufacturing
and Skills Development. The event
took place at the Capital Hotel
on Friday, 3 September 2021:

GIBELA RESEARCH CHAIR LAUNCH PROMOTES

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, who heads Research, Innovation and Engagement at the
University, set the tone for the event as she delivered the opening and welcome remarks.
“Words cannot explain how excited I am about this launch. Today, we are here to celebrate
great work done by our Research Chair in Manufacturing and Skills Development led by Prof.
Khumbulani Mpofu.

I always say, if you want to run fast, run alone. If
you want to run far, run together. Thus, we have
deliberately invited the CEOs and executives of
private sector companies to join us today. Your
attendance is appreciated and we would like to
invite you to strategically partner with us so we
could advance the research agenda through
an entrepreneurial approach to education,
thus alleviate the high unemployment burden,
inequality and poverty in our beautiful country.

Colleagues, let us run together so that we run
far. Let us chart the new territories together and
take our country from glory to glory – With God
it is possible,” said Dr Papu-Zamxaka.

She added: “This research chair is a true
demonstration of great collaborative efforts
between the University and industry to solve
societal challenges, which include research to
localise manufacturing
Dr Vathiswa Papu- Zamxaka

16 RESEARCH CHAIR IN MANUFACTURING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22