The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, recently welcomed a delegation from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) to explore new avenues for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Led by Director-General Dr. Mlungisi Cele, the delegation visited the Faculties of Health Sciences and the Engineering and Built Environment. Professor Mpedi noted that UJ maintains a strong working relationship with the DSTI, which includes the funding of several key projects.
“We work very closely with the Department of Science and Innovation, as a public institution. We have several projects that are funded by the Department of Science and Innovation. So, through this visit, we are looking at many of our existing collaborative projects and to explore ways and means through which we could collaborate more,” he said.
Key Facilities Visited:
The delegation toured several specialized sites across the university, including:
- Optometry Clinic
- Biokinetics Clinic
- Chiropractic Clinic
- Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
- Podiatry Clinic
- Rescue Centre
- Simulation Mine
- 3D Printed House
- Centre for Ecological Intelligence (CEI) Food Systems Hub
- UJFM
Highlights of the Tour
A major highlight was the state-of-the-art 3D printing machinery used by the Department of Civil Engineering Technology, a project directly supported by the DSTI. This technology is being tested in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements to see if a better solution can be found using this technology for the housing crisis. The technology in its pilot, has constructed a RDP sized house, in eight hours.
The delegation also visited the Rescue Simulation Centre hosted by the Department of Emergency Medical Care a first-of-its-kind facility on the African continent providing students with essential hands-on training.
Director-General Dr. Mlungisi Cele emphasized the importance of fostering partnerships over competition within the national research landscape.
“It’s quite crucial for us to build solid relationships with universities. This is our third visit that we’re making as a department, to build solid relationships with universities. First and foremost, we want to promote collaboration and less competition between our various institutions that play a big role in our science, technology and innovation system. So as a department, our job is to make sure that South Africa has a solid science system or a research system, and innovation system, and universities play a big role,” Dr. Cele said.
He further noted that in a volatile geopolitical climate, technological sovereignty is essential for national success.
“We are living in an era characterized by hostile geopolitical dynamics that make it loud and clear that countries that do not have technological sovereignty… are doomed to fail. So, it’s high time that as South Africa, we consolidate, we appeal to enhance our own existing capabilities and universities possess such.”
Dr. Cele concluded the visit by praising UJ’s standing as a premier research institution and encouraging continued progress in life-changing innovation.
“We are very pleased. UJ is one of the top performing research institutions, not only here in South Africa but in Africa as well. Therefore, it’s significant for us to come here and celebrate with them. I want to encourage them and not to sit on their laurels, but to continue making progress. Making advances in science, innovation and technology.”
