Page 71 - Annual Report A4

• A series of structured engagements between researchers, private companies
(EU and SA) and policy makers on some of the key issues emerging in this
area, ideally linked to the above research

• Some mechanism to involve postgraduates in the research /engagements.

r Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation
and Engagement, as well as task team leader for the Institute for the Future
Dof Work, said the strategic essence of the Institute is its focus on mutually
beneficial partnerships with public and private sector organisations. These
include higher learning institutions with outstanding international stature, science
councils, and funding agencies as well as local and multinational businesses.

We have worked tirelessly to bring the
EUD on board and I must recognise and
appreciate our Chairperson of Council,
Tilson Manyoni; our Deputy Chairperson
of Council, Thabang Chiloane; Vice-
Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Lourens
van Staden; Dr Nkgatho Tlale, DVC:
Operations; Brenda Watson, Director:
Corporate Affairs and Marketing; Prof.
Herbert Maserumule, Executive Dean
at the Faculty of Humanities; and Jonas
Magedi, Advisor to the VC for their efforts.
We are making strides as a collective
and we are proud of the remarkable
developments - Dr Papu-Zamxaka. Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka

The Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) will house four programmes - a Technology
Hub, Smart Campus Platform, 4IR/Future of Work Research and Projects, and an Annual
4IR/Future of Work Dialogue. The Tech-Hub task team is currently also working towards
the realisation of the goals set. Task team members include Dr Papu-Zamxaka; Dr SJ
Jacobs, Assistant Dean at the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment; Prof.
Khumbulani Mpofu (appointed Senior Expert and Manager for the collaboration project);
Dr Etienne van Wyk, Executive Dean: ICT; and Mafika Nkambule, Director at ICT.

In conclusion, Dr Papu-Zamxaka said the EUD has extensive experience in the development
of 4IR technologies while they are also heavily invested in local industries that create
opportunities. “Beyond the broader population, the youth, women and differently abled
people stand to gain future skills and entrepreneurial opportunities for the social compact
South Africa and the continent need through collaborative exploitation of advanced 4IR
technologies”.

RESEARCH CHAIR IN MANUFACTURING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22 67