Leading change
Unisa and City of Tshwane to leverage a knowledge-based economy
A firm handshake seals the deal between Dr Moeketsi Mosola (City Manager) and Prof Mandla Makhanya (Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor).
The City of Tshwane and Unisa, as a key institution of knowledge production in the City, have reached an agreement to resume their collaborative partnership that commenced in 2008. They signed a memorandum of agreement on 26 January 2018.
The co-operation agreement is important in a number of ways. Firstly, the City of Tshwane regards higher education and research institutions within its boundaries as strategic partners whose expertise in different specialist areas are of immense importance to the development of the City of Tshwane.
Also of key significance is that the City of Tshwane intends to strengthen its capacity by leveraging the knowledge-based economy by working closely with tertiary education institutions like Unisa.
Growing the economy
In terms of areas of cooperation, a number of key focus areas have been identified. These include research support by the esteemed Bureau of Market Research (BMR) to form the basis of short to long-term City of Tshwane strategies, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in general.
Overall, envisioned cooperative projects will closely align with the development trajectory of the City of Tshwane inclusive of service delivery excellence and innovation, growing the economy and creating jobs, promoting a safe and healthy city, promoting social cohesion, inclusion and diversity, and fostering participation, collaboration and diversity.
Seated: Dr Moeketsi Mosola (City Manager) and Prof Mandla Makhanya (Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Unisa), and, back, Dr Daisy Selematsela (Acting Vice-Principal: Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation), Nosipho Hlatshwayo (Group Head, City Strategy and Organisational Performance Department), Sibongile Nteta (Director: Stakeholder/Contract/International relations), Msizi Myeza (Acting Head: Office of the City Manager), and Prof. Deon Tustin (Head: Bureau of Market Research).
*Submitted by Deon Tustin
Publish date: 2018/01/29