CPUT recently became the newest member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) South Africa.
The SDSN promotes integrated approaches to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, through education, research, policy analysis and global cooperation.
It has over 1 800 members in 53 networks across 146 countries.
Dr Yolande Steenkamp, Network Manager: SDSN South Africa, said that for institutions like CPUT, the benefits of entering this international network - the largest of its kind globally - are enormous.
“Not only could they become involved in some of the global or national workstreams, they could also create workstreams based on their own strengths,” she said.
The institution hopes to contribute to the network through transdisciplinary research projects, activities and initiatives.
CPUT’s Vision 2030 is geared towards building One Smart CPUT. Its development was influenced by the hype of introducing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Artificial Intelligence and the explosion of education and technological developments while also taking into consideration the National Development Plan and the United Nations SDGs.
“The SDSN will help strengthen collaborations, research and postgraduate training, funding opportunities, staff and student training, student exchange, information, knowledge and data sharing and networking,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho.
Last month, CPUT participated in the SDSN South Africa Coffee Chat and had the opportunity to present some of the initiatives that address the SDGs.
Written by Ilse Fredericks
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