University of Pretoria strives to be a leading research-intensive university in the entire African region, with the objective of being recognised internationally for its quality, relevance, impact, development of people, creation of knowledge and making a difference locally and globally. It is for this reason, as well as the shared African heritage and focus on development issues, specifically pertaining to the area of engineering and technology, that the University of Pretoria entered into a formal agreement with LAUTECH.

According to Prof Tyrone Pretorius, UP’S Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology is a leading source of locally relevant and internationally competitive academic programmes at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels. He said UP’s Engineering School, with its close links to local industries, plays an important role in terms of technological innovation and its management and application for the benefit of the country. 

Prof Pretorius says the signing of the agreement between UP and LAUTECH is not going to be a dormant document lying in a cabinet, but it is rather an indication of UP’s intent to develop strong and sustainable linkages in Africa. “ It is my sincere hope that today’s signing will be the start of a long and fruitful relationship between our respective institutions and that, through our mutual goodwill and commitment, it will go from strength to strength”, said Prof Pretorius.

The Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH, Prof AS Gbadegesin said his institution is a specialised university focusing on engineering, and is in the process of developing an institute of computer software design which would be one of the areas of collaborative research at a post-graduate level with the University of Pretoria.

Prof AS Gbadegesin also reiterated that the signing of the MoU should not end up in the archives, but should be strategised by setting up an implementation committee that will drive the collaboration.  As the first South African institution to collaborate with LAUTECH, Prof Gbadegesin has described the University of Pretoria as the best research institution in Africa, particularly in the area of engineering. “Being the University of Technology in Nigeria, we believe that we can share our experiences and at the same time gain from the advanced knowledge of most of the staff of the University of Pretoria”, he said. 

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions entails the establishment of mutually beneficial scientific, technological, educational and other relations based on:

• exchange of academic staff members for the purpose of research, teaching and presentation of special courses in their fields of specialisation;
• establishment of joint research programmes,
• exchange of students (postgraduate) with respect to specific research projects or courses of interest and importance,
• exchange of scientific and educational literature produced by either or both parties, and
• organisation of conferences, seminars and symposia of mutual interest to the institutions.

From left to right are Ms Louise Euthimiou (UP's Department of Research and Innovation Support), Prof TA Adeyi, (Principal Assistant Registrar: Legal - LAUTECH), Prof T Ebijuwa (Dean: Postgraduate School - LAUTECH), Prof J Kuye (Department of Public Management and Administration - UP), Dr KA Ogunleye (Deputy Registrar: Legal - LAUTECH), Seated: Prof AS Gbedagesin (left), and Prof Tyrone Pretorius.