Entrepreneurship is no longer just a buzzword of the times. It represents an effective intervention to boost growth, foster innovation, and aid in job creation – especially within the South African context.
The impact of entrepreneurship on teaching-learning and research practices was recently discussed at the 13th public lecture on research and innovation held at the North-West University’s (NWU) campus in Vanderbijlpark.
Heading-up the discussion were several representatives of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, including: Prof Herman van der Merwe (Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning), Dr Natanya Meyer (School of Business Management), Johann Landsberg (Manager: bhive EDC), Annelie Steenkamp (bhive EDC) and Leonie Greyling (bhive EDC).
The lecture, hosted by Prof Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, deputy vice-chancellor for research and innnovation, saw the panel of experts explaining how they integrate an entrepreneurship perspective into their teaching-learning practices as well as their research endevours.
According to Prof Van der Merwe, without an upswing in entrepreneurs it will be hard to bolster the South African economy and compete worldwide. He said that a tertiary qualification should no longer just enable graduates to find a job, but rather empower them to create jobs.
“The reality is that much more must be done to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship to truly flourish,” said Prof Van der Merwe. He added that by integrating entrepreneurship in all aspects of the university’s core business, the NWU is actively contributing towards the vesting of an entrepreneurial culture that will play a considerate role in realising the objectives set by the government’s National Development Plan. (The latter places the focus on small and expanding businesses to create some 90% of new jobs, with the ultimate goal of reducing unemployment to just 6% by 2030.)
During the course of the lecture the role of the faculty’s bhive EDC (Enterprise Development Centre) was also highlighted, and included a focus on flagship projects such as the Young Entrepreneurs Business Organisation (YEBO), NWU Vanderbijlpark Enactus and, the annual Enterprising Women Programme (EWP).
At the back, from left: Dr Natanya Meyer, Prof Herman van der Merwe, Johann Landsberg, Prof Babs Surujlal and Annelie Steenkamp. In front are Leonie Greyling and Prof Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya.
Prof Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya facilitated the public lecture.
