Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is pleased to inform you that the Northern Cape Innovation Forum (NCIF), will be launched officially, on Friday, 26 February 2021.
In recognition of the importance of innovation to increase social and economic development in the Northern Cape Province. The NCIF will be established as a platform for academia, government, business, and civil society to develop the Northern Cape’s system for innovation. Conceptualised in 2019, under the Department of Science and Innovation, Regional Innovation Support programme, SPU was awarded a grant from the CSIR’s Technology Localisation Implementation Unit to seed the NCIF.
With a matching grant from the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the NCIF led by SPU, has gathered momentum from key local stakeholders that include the Office of the Premier, Sol Plaatje Municipality, Black Management Forum, Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Northern Cape Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Petra Diamonds, and the Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs Forum.
The NCIF is tasked to spark creative thinking and stimulate innovation, as a catalyst to advance the Northern Cape’s development in a modern and changing technological world. Visit the website at www.ncif.co.za for more information.
Dr Zamani Saul, Premier of the Northern Cape Province and Professor Andrew Crouch, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Sol Plaatje University will preside over the virtual launch. The keynote address will be given by Mr Buti Manamela, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.
You are cordially invited to join the launch via the MS Teams platform.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, 26 February 2021
Time: 15:00 to 17:00
Platform: MS Teams (Link: Join live event )
Programme:
| Time | Item | Name | Institution/Organisation |
| 15h00 – 15h05 | Welcome | Executive Mayor Mr Patrick Mabilo | Sol Plaatje Municipality |
| 15h05 – 15h10 | Opening Remarks and Introduction of the honourable guests | Prof Andrew Crouch Vice-Chancellor & Principal | Sol Plaatje University (SPU) |
| 15h10 – 15h30 | Keynote Address
| Mr Buti Manamela Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science & Innovation | Department of Science and Innovation |
| 15h30 – 15h40 | Northern Cape Province Outlook on Innovation | Dr Zamani Saul Premier | Northern Cape Provincial Government
|
|
15h40 – 16h20 | Showcase of Local Innovations | ||
| Abantu WIFI | Mr Edward Matiwane Business Intelligence Analyst | Diamond Vision Creation Hub NPO | |
| South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) / SKA Africa | Ms Apiwe Holele Technology Commercialization Specialist | SARAO/SKA Africa | |
| Digi-Ticket | Mr Tshepang Peme Director | DigiTicket SA (Pty) Ltd | |
| Snap Smart watch | Mr Melvin Kisten Graduate | SPU | |
|
16h20 – 16:40 | Messages of Support | ||
| North West Regional Innovation Support Platform | Mr Joseph Ndaba Platform Facilitator | NW RISP | |
| Department of Economic Development and Tourism
| Mr Mabija Acting Head of Department | DEDaT | |
| H NCIF MLab Galeshewe | Mr Henleo Louw Coordinator | MLab | |
| 16h40 – 16h55 | NCIF Network and Work Plan | Ms Tshegohatso Chifokoyo Coordinator | NCIF |
| 16h55 – 17h00 | Vote of thanks | Mr Abraham Vosloo MEC | DEDaT |
For further details on the programme and for interviews please contact Ms Tshegohatso Chifokoyo:
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Tel: 053 491 0093
Cell: 061 626 1878
