Page 21 - Annual Report A4

technologies and the associated
commercialisation of these technologies to
resolve the high youth unemployment while
solving the transport challenges of many South
Africans”.

Prof. Lourens van Staden, Vice-Chancellor
and Principal, commended Prof. Mpofu and
his team.

“I must congratulate our Research Chair
Holder, Prof. Mpofu, for his tenacity, diligence
and for always going over and above his call
of duty. The University is proud to have a
Research Professor of his calibre.

An even more noteworthy development today
is the launch of the three-year extension of
the partnership to ensure the good work is
Prof. Lourens van Staden

continued. Through this partnership between Gibela, TUT and the other partners such as the
NRF, merSETA, TIA, SEDA, and DSBD there is hope not just for this country, but the continent
and the globe at large. I congratulate all in this partnership and would like use this opportunity to
salute everyone as well as emphasise that the journey to a social compact through manufacturing
research, innovation and commercialisation has begun,” expressed Prof. van Staden.

Prof. Mpofu thanked the University for its
staunch support leading up to the launch, while
he also elaborated on future plans for the chair.

“In the next three years of the MoU, the research
chair plans to focus on the implementation and
operationalisation of the University-Industry
Technology transfer model through various
established structures.

One new idea will be industrialised every year,
15 publications annually, the complementary
funding will be tripled over the period, one
doctoral and three masters students will
graduate per annum, and one new career path
developed per year,” commented Prof. Mpofu.

Prof. Khumbulani Mpofu

RESEARCH CHAIR IN MANUFACTURING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 17