Wits improves entrepreneurship
JOBURG - Wits University has partnered with Ryerson University in Canada and the Bombay Stock Exchange Institute in India to improve growth opportunities for entrepreneurship in South Africa and accelerate start-up incubation in the three partner countries.
The announcement of the partnership was made in Mumbai, India on 9 February. Professor Adam Habib, Wits Vice-Chancellor and principal, and Barry Dwolatzky, Professor of Software Engineering at the University and director of the Wits Joburg Centre for software engineering, were present at the launch of the trilateral partnership.
Ryerson has been successful in developing a rich ecosystem for young entrepreneurs.The Canadian University is ranked as one of the top innovative centres in the world.
The Canadian government has identified both South Africa and India as key countries for developing and expanding trade and business opportunities.“This trilateral partnership is exactly the kind of boost that South Africa requires to foster development, innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Habib. “The Joburg Centre for Software Engineering at Wits will serve as the catalyst for this initiative through its tech hub in Braamfontein.”
In 2013, Ryerson Futures teamed up with the Bombay Stock Exchange Institute to bring Ryerson’s incubator concept, Zone Startups, to India, to catalyse the same entrepreneurial opportunities for start-ups in India and Canada which are eager for access to new markets and new opportunities.“The partners are developing and expanding a multi-country network of innovation and entrepreneurship zones to drive job growth and opportunities in Canada, India and South Africa,” said Ryerson University President Sheldon Levy at the first anniversary of Zone Startups India.
