City partners with leading universities
eThekwini has extended its partenership with leading universities to collaborate to enhance research efforts and improve services to those living in the city.
THE eThekwini municipality extended its partnership with the universities in the region by renewing its commitment to collaborate with the University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN), Durban University of Technology (DUT) and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT). It also welcomed on board the University of South Africa (UNISA), University of Zululand (UNIZUL) and the Human Science Research Council (HSRC) at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, 17 July.
According to Tozi Mthethwa, the municipality’s head of Communications, the partnership serves to strengthen and synergise efforts, through closer collaboration in order to enhance research, skills, experiential learning and knowledge within the municipal context.
The collaboration has resulted in an approved City – University Research Committee, research in the fields of economic development, engineering and environment among others; three successful Annual Research Symposiums, 12 built environment seminars involving officials, academics and students, supported experiential learning opportunities and enlisted academic support for city programmes and policies.
Going forward, the partners agreed to integrated planning and alignment of projects and to translate research into innovative development projects that will benefit communities of Durban.
The Speaker of the eThekwini, Councillor Logie Naidoo said the city leadership has supported the establishment of a dedicated fund to further research and innovation. “The partnership presents us with opportunities to harness our resources, networks, expertise and knowledge to improve the quality of life for all those that work, play and live in Durban. I’m optimistic that the city’s intention to collaborate in the areas of applied research relevant to the city, our willingness to share knowledge and our commitment to complement praxis with policy has placed us ahead of others in the research and innovation community.”
Professor Ahmed Bawa, Vice Chancellor for DUT, said Universities are a key feature in the city and called on the city to create space for a serious engagement and forward thinking. “If we want to draw on the best output from universities we have to look at long-term strategic partnership that is more forward looking and innovative.”
He also touched on the need to build capacity and partnerships with significant institutions globally in order to add more value to the collaboration.
The Vice Chancellor from UKZN, Prof Albert van Jaarsveld said having a common vision will give Durban the competitive edge and enable it to be a global player. He committed his institution to making Durban not just “a great city in Africa, but a great African city.”
