The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at Durban University of Technology (DUT), Prof. Fulufhelo Netswera has said that “The Africa we want is one where our institutions do not merely consume knowledge but actively produce and export it. We must claim our place in the global knowledge economy,”
Prof. Netswera made this statement when he delivered the keynote address at the 3rd edition of the Technology, Business and Society Seminar (TEBUSS 3) on the theme ‘The Africa We Want, The Africa We Should Claim,’ which was hosted by GCTU on March 26, 2025.
The Executive Dean emphasized the urgent need for African universities to also claim their place in the global knowledge economy. He indicated that, “Through meaningful collaborations, we can strengthen our research output, create technological innovations, and empower the next generation of African leaders.” He stressed the role of partnerships like the one between GCTU and DUT in building academic and research capacity.
Welcoming participants to the seminar, the Vice-Chancellor of GCTU, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, echoed Prof. Netswera’s sentiments, stressing the need for Africa to take ownership of its academic and economic growth. “As Africans, we must rise to the occasion by leveraging our resources, talents and institutions to drive innovation and sustainable development. This partnership between GCTU and DUT is a bold step towards achieving that goal,” he stated.
Prof. Afoakwa highlighted the opportunities offered by the GCTU-DUT collaboration, including full scholarships for postgraduate studies and staff exchanges. He also stressed the importance of strong university-industry collaborations. “We cannot operate in isolation. If our universities are to truly the engines of development, we must work closely with industry to ensure that the knowledge we generate is applicable and beneficial to society,” he remarked.
As part of the seminar, Prof. O. Olugbara from DUT presented on ‘Possible ICT Collaboration with GCTU.’ He underscored the need for technology-driven education and research, stating that “Technology is the driving force behind modern education and research. We must explore avenues to integrate ICT into our institutions to remain competitive and relevant.” He proposed digital learning platforms, joint research initiatives and innovation hubs as potential areas for collaboration between GCTU and DUT.
A major highlight of the event was a panel discussion on ‘Industry Collaboration and Future Prospects.’ The discussion featured distinguished academics from both institutions: Ms. Pearl Annoh Boadi and Dr. Richard Amponsah, both from GCTU and Prof. E. Anwana and Prof. O. Olugbara from DUT.
The panelists explored strategies for strengthening ties between universities and industry to ensure that academic research aligns with real-world applications. Dr. Richard Amponsah of GCTU emphasized the need for industry engagement throughout the academic journey, stating, “We need to engage with industry stakeholders at every stage of academic training to produce graduates who are job-ready and capable of innovation.” Prof. Anwana from DUT added, “A university’s success is measured by its impact on society and this is best achieved when academia and industry work hand in hand.”
The TEBUSS 3 seminar, which brought together academic and industry leaders to discuss the place of African educators in the global economy, reinforced the growing partnership between GCTU and DUT, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing academic and research collaborations. Both institutions pledged to deepen their ties through research initiatives, faculty exchanges and technological advancements.
