Towards an entrepreneurial university in Southern Africa
A delegation of around twenty representatives from academic institutions and partner ministries in southern Africa, as well as the international organizations Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (THENSA) and Obreal, visited Montpellier for a study tour from June 2 to 5. The tour took place within the framework of the international consortium Uniico-Create, an Erasmus+ project in which the AE2i chair (Lab Entreprendre, UM Foundation, MOMA) is participating. It was an opportunity to discuss how to promote entrepreneurship as a vector for transformation in Southern Africa.
The project was launched on March 24 in Johannesburg, South Africa, as part of the European Erasmus+ CBHE program. Coordinated by Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (THENSA, South Africa), Uniico-create is a consortium of around 20 partners, including academic institutions in Europe (Ireland, Finland, France) and Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini), as well as international higher education organizations such asOBREAL, SARUA, SAQA, and others. Not to mention the ministries of education of the countries concerned that are members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Uniico-create's objective is to develop entrepreneurial spirit in southern Africa in response to low levels of job creation, start-up success, and employability of young graduates.
At UM, it is the AE2i chair, supported by Lab Entreprendre and the UM Foundation in partnership with Montpellier Management, which is participating in this international initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration between universities and businesses. Led by Professor Sylvie Sammut, the AE2i chair aims in particular to support entrepreneurs in their strategic development and to promote collaboration between public and private actors in order to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Stronger collaboration between universities and businesses
Numerous presentations are on the agenda for this study visit organized by the AE2i chair and the UM's international relations department, including the university's flagship programs highlighting its role and involvement in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem: University Innovation Hub (PUI), Lab Entreprendre, MOMA, AxLR Technology Transfer Acceleration Company (SATT), Initium University Incubator, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Business & Innovation Center (BIC), and more. These provide food for thought on strengthening collaboration between universities and businesses for the twenty members of the Uniico-Create international delegation.