The Innovation for African Universities (IAU) Community of Practice (CoP) hosted its inaugural Leaders Symposium and Workshop in KwaZulu-Natal, bringing together university leaders, educators, and innovation partners for a landmark event aimed at accelerating transformation in Higher Education.
Held in the coastal town of Salt Rock, the event was convened by University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Academic Leader in the School of Commerce, Professor Thea van der Westhuizen, who also serves as the IAU CoP South African Lead. The symposium was organised in partnership with the British Council and education technology firm getTWOit. Delegates from five institutions – the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), Durban University of Technology (DUT), University of Zululand, and youth development organisation LIV Village – participated in a full day of knowledge exchange and capacity building.
In her opening address, van der Westhuizen highlighted the need to empower Africa’s youth through entrepreneurial and innovative ventures.
“The future success of our continent depends on Africa’s youth. We need to equip our young people with valuable skills and opportunities to innovate – if we cannot adequately solve the problem of youth unemployment in Africa, then it doesn’t matter what other problems we solve,” she noted, stressing the high stakes and the transformative intent of the initiative.
Designed as a platform for capacity-building and strategic dialogue, the symposium showcased a shared commitment to strengthening KwaZulu-Natal’s Higher Education innovation ecosystem.
The programme was curated by van der Westhuizen in collaboration with Mr Sam Rametse, British Council Regional Head for Higher Education (sub-Saharan Africa), and Mr Sean Farren, CEO of getTWOit.
The British Council’s involvement situates the symposium within a broader IAU initiative that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship across African universities.
“The British Council remains dedicated to building connections and supporting innovation in Higher Education across Africa. Through initiatives like the IAU Community of Practice, we can share knowledge, build trust, and help drive positive change for students and communities,” said Rametse.
The event featured interactive sessions and dynamic discussions centred around innovation, skills development, and equitable collaboration in the Higher Education sector.
Delegates explored a range of projects spanning sustainable agriculture, nutrition, digital pedagogy, and climate entrepreneurship, that demonstrated how academic research can be transformed into real-world solutions addressing national and regional priorities.
One standout initiative included a live demonstration of an aquaponics system, showcasing a sustainable urban agriculture model. The project underlined the event’s core theme of community-driven innovation and illustrated how such solutions can contribute to both food security and environmental sustainability.
The symposium marked a significant milestone for KwaZulu-Natal: the establishment of a multi-institutional innovation network under the IAU banner.
Looking ahead, the symposium laid the foundation for tangible next steps.
British Council representatives affirmed that insights and feedback from the event would help inform future programming and support across the region. For participating institutions, action points include the development of formal inter-university agreements to co-create innovation hubs, strategies for scaling successful prototype projects and training modules, and the creation of student exchange opportunities and innovation challenges within the IAU network.
By aligning local action with global goals, the IAU Community of Practice Symposium set a strong precedent for collaborative, research-led innovation in African Higher Education.
Words: Sejal Desai
Photograph: Supplied
