Members of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education, from left to right: Frances Zowa (EDHE Admin), Dr Norah Clarke (EDHE Director), Jayde Barends (CPUT and COP Chair), Prof Pierre Joubert (SPU and COP Deputy Chair), Richardt Kok (EDHE Stakeholder Manager), Lerato Makgonyane (EDHE Admin).
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is proud to announce that Professor Pierre Joubert, Head of SPU’s School of Economic and Management Sciences, has been elected as the Deputy Chair of the National Community of Practice (COP) for Economic Activation Offices (EAO) of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE).
EDHE is a programme run by Universities South Africa (USAf) that has supported the establishment of EAOs at 10 selected South African universities. By preparing young South Africans for entrepreneurship, EAOs reduce the country’s dependence on its limited job market and allow young people to identify business opportunities independently.
The COP – a forum consisting of the 10 universities – develops guidelines for other institutions seeking to establish such offices, and shares best practices. As Deputy Chair, Prof Joubert will lead and oversee the process to establish and maintain EAOs. Moreover, he will provide guidance to institutions and liaise with funders and other stakeholders in the entrepreneurship space.
“I am humbled and honoured for being recognised for the progress in launching our Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Research as well as the EAO. SPU was applauded for the pace with which this was achieved as well as the programmes undertaken by the centre and the office. I look forward to serving the sector in this capacity and contribute to enterprise development and job creation,” said Prof Joubert.
The role of Deputy Chair will provide him with insight into the activities that encourage and develop entrepreneurship to benefit communities. Professor Joubert explained that the newly gained knowledge and examples will be incorporated into the teaching of entrepreneurship in the PGDip and Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship, as well as short entrepreneurship courses.
We at SPU wish Prof Joubert great success in his new position. Congratulations!
