Our Commitment

The University of Pretoria (UP) actively contributes to tackling SDG9 through research, and by challenging and enabling the UP community to think about innovation and start-ups that may have a positive and long-term impact on society. It actively promotes entrepreneurship and value creation, encouraging the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises. 

Masters in Technology and Innovation Management (MTIM)

Innovation in all its forms, encompassing the introduction of a new process, product, service, or system to an organization, is considered to be the key to long-term economic growth and improved quality of life.  At the firm level, innovation is generally essential to its competitiveness and sustainability; indeed, it is often stated that companies that fail to innovate will lose market share and disappear within a short period. 

In this Master's programme students must complete nine theoretical modules (7 core and 2 electives) as well as a mini-dissertation. You will be introduced to modules such as technology management, innovation management, corporate entrepreneurship, new product development, and strategic management, all of which support the long-term goals of building levels of innovation and productivity within an organization. The programme aims to provide knowledge on how to identify technology transfer and absorption processes, manage these processes, support firm-level innovation with in-house research and development, engage in open or inclusive innovation, and maximize the acquisition of new technology within the normal constraints of financial resources. 

Research

391 articles relating to this goal were published in Scopus between 2015 and 2019.

Technological Innovation

The Institute For Technological Innovation (ITI) performs research on the management of technology and technological innovation, technology policy, and related issues. As the engine of economic growth, technology will play an increasingly important role in nations' ability to prosper and grow. Technological innovation is the mechanism through which technology can be leveraged to create wealth and contribute toward a better quality of life. The University of Pretoria has taken cognizance not only of the increasing importance of technology as a basis for competition, its determining role in international competitiveness, and the contribution it can make to the social-related goals of the nation – such as health, housing, infrastructure, education and the environment – but also the increasing need to manage technology strategically and operationally.

The mission of the ITI is to advance the knowledge and skills of people in terms of technological innovation and the management of technology through research, through interaction with industry, the government, and other research institutes, as well as the support of training initiatives.

The Vision of ITI is:

1. to build a knowledge base through multidisciplinary research in the management aspects relating to technological innovation, the management of technology, technology transfer, technology policy, and related issues. International contact and co-operation is deemed to be an essential and important facet of the ITI's operation;
2. to become the hub in South Africa of a network of organizations and individuals – typically from industry, government, and other academic and research institutions – with an interest in the management of technology and innovation;
3. to foster a greater awareness with regard to the importance of technological innovation and elevate the level of knowledge in this area;
4. to make research results available to the academic community, industry, government, and other interested parties;
5. to support education in its areas of interest through research, at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as through continuing education courses;
6. to facilitate technology transfer between the University and the industry.

Innovation Africa

Innovation Africa at The University of Pretoria is a research investment platform that hosts and develops government-industry-University research entities to address national and pan-African needs for sustainable development and economic growth. The Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Engineering 4.0, and Future Africa, together with various other research programs and Faculties at the University of Pretoria, provide a powerful foundation for the Innovation Africa @UP platform. Innovation Africa @UP provides a focussed investment platform for research and capacity development needs for the future of agriculture in Africa, catering for joint initiatives between businesses, governments, development, and research organizations. While the initial focus of this development is precision and sustainable agriculture, other sectors such as transport, health, education, and others will also use this platform.

Read more about Goal 9 on the UN website