The Technology Transfer and Innovation Support (TTIS) team from the North-West University (NWU) participated in the prestigious Cape Town Tech Transfer Week from 23 to 25 October 2024. The event was held at the Graduate School of Business Conference Centre at the University of Cape Town.

The event was organised by the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) and the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP). It attracted leading technology transfer professionals from around the world, fostering knowledge-sharing and innovation growth in southern Africa.

The Cape Town Tech Transfer Week offered a platform for Southern African Development Community (SADC) professionals to engage with international experts, exchange experiences and deepen their understanding of technology transfer. The TTIS team expressed enthusiasm for the event’s networking and collaborative opportunities, which support growth in the field.

As a key player in technology transfer in South Africa and the broader SADC region, the NWU TTIS is committed to bridging the gap between academia and industry, particularly in life sciences and technology. This event provided a prime opportunity for TTIS to advance this mission.

Attendees also had the chance to explore regional innovation hubs through tours of the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University, and a joint tour of the UWC TTO and Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Mr Hannes Malan, Mr Vukosi Mathale, Mrs Mari Berner, Dr Janine Chantson, Mr Ntiyiso Shabangu, Mrs Simphiwe Gumede and Dr Mesuli Mbanjwa.