BIWA holds inaugural international conference
ADDRESSING CRITICAL TOPICS: CPUT had a strong presence at the inaugural Annual International Conference on Business and Innovation at Nelson Mandela University.
Tuesday, 12 November 2024
The Business Incubation Web Association (BIWA) recently held its inaugural Annual International Conference on Business and Innovation at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha.
The conference, chaired by Dr Thobekani Lose, Chairperson of BIWA and CPUT alumnus marked a significant milestone in the association’s mission to foster entrepreneurship, incubation, and innovation across South Africa. BIWA represents a collaborative initiative between Nelson Mandela University, Walter Sisulu University, and CPUT. The three institutions formalised their partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2023, which led to the creation of BIWA. The Executive Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Driekie Hay-Swemmer said: “This partnership underscores the shared commitment to driving entrepreneurial and innovative advancements aimed at socio-economic growth.”
CPUT had a strong presence at the event, with representatives who included Hay-Swemmer, Prof Dina Burger, Director: Directorate Research Development, and Acting Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships. Additionally, some staff members from the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences were in attendance, such as Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Chris Cupido and Andiswa Mrasi, Manager of the Unit for Strategic Initiatives and Projects. Sivuyise Mbedla founder of OnlyFriends Entertainment, and a member of CPUT’s Business Innovation and Incubation Centre (BIIC), was also among the notable speakers.
The conference featured in-depth discussions, by addressing critical topics surrounding entrepreneurship's role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Key focus areas included tackling poverty, reducing inequality, and promoting economic growth. The sessions further explored how entrepreneurship can stimulate industry innovation, infrastructure development, and address the challenge of unemployment.
“CPUT’s Faculty of Business and Management Sciences is proud to have contributed to the success of this historic event. The University reaffirms its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategic partnerships as key drivers of sustainable socio-economic development,” Mrasi noted.
Written by CPUT News
Email: news@cput.ac.za
News categories
- Advancement 13
- Alumni 77
- Awards 46
- Campus Life 20
- Community Engagement 163
- Disability Unit 12
- Applied Sciences 108
- Business & Management Sciences 95
- Education 97
- Engineering & the Built Environment 142
- Health & Wellness Sciences 117
- Informatics & Design 82
- Fundani CHED 24
- Funding 17
- GBV 16
- Graduation 88
- HIV/Aids Unit 39
- Know Your CPUT 65
- Libraries 18
- News 3793
- RTIP 297
- Residences (Accommodation) 15
- Staff 660
- SIIP 37
- Students 1312
- Student Health 44
- Sport, Arts & Culture 127
- SRC 4
- Student Affairs 11
- University Leadership 19
- Varsity Shield 17
- Vice-Chancellor 22
- Work-Integrated Learning 22
- THENSA 11
