The recent appointment of Professor Ricardo Peters, Acting Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Research (CEDAR) at Sol Plaatje University (SPU), to the executive committee of the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), marks a significant step in fostering collaboration between business and academia in the region.
NOCCI CEO Ms Sharon Steyn described Professor Peters as “the main link between NOCCI and SPU,” emphasizing the potential for open dialogue, joint workshops, and shared strategic initiatives that serve both the business community and the University. She highlighted the importance of aligning efforts to transform Kimberley into a thriving university city, where both business and academia contribute to economic growth.
Professor Peters views the partnership as aligned with SPU’s strategic goals, noting that expanding collaboration with institutions like NOCCI is essential to promote entrepreneurship, enhance student employability, and support policy-relevant research. His involvement is expected to ensure the University has a meaningful voice in regional business development matters, while helping NOCCI identify and implement projects that benefit the broader community.
The partnership is expected to unlock new opportunities in areas such as mining, agriculture, and tourism, while also addressing unemployment and economic transformation. It represents a shift toward integrated planning and mutual support between the academic and business sectors.
Both parties envision a formal Memorandum of Understanding to drive targeted projects, reinforcing Kimberley’s development as a dynamic hub of business and education.
