This month's highlights
Chief Executive Officer
Dr Neville Comins
Business Development & Marketing
Victor Matooane
Market Support and Operations
Thibi Matshele
Enterprise Support and Networking
Martin Yuill
Incubation
Jill Sawers
Empowerment Initiatives
Tsietsi Maleho
Chief Information Officer
Modiba Ramohlale
Tel: +27 12 349 0376 / 70
Fax: +27 12 349 0322
Physical Address: Bld 46, CSIR site, Meiring Naude Rd, Lynnwood, Pretoria, South Africa
Postal Address: PostNet Suite 213, Private Bag X844, Silverton 0127,
Pretoria, South Africa
Website: www.theinnovationhub.com
Directors:
NL Moikangoa (Chairman),
O Fuchs, P Maharaj, Prof NC Maganyi, Prof JAG Malherbe, M Mokoena,
AWP Paterson, M Petje
The Innovation Hub is a strategic partnership between the Gauteng Provincial Government's Blue IQ initiative, and SERA, the Southern Education and Research Alliance, a partnership between the CSIR and the University of Pretoria
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Hub active in Gauteng ICT cluster study
An Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Sector Development Framework for South Africa is being designed to assist the country to achieve its economic, social upliftment, empowerment and overall prosperity goals. The aim is to fully embrace the information age and become a key player in the global ICT market.
Implementation of the ICT cluster study will foster the development of ICT cluster activities throughout the country. Three potential clusters are earmarked for Gauteng. At least one cluster is operational in Cape Town and there is potential for a focused cluster in KwaZulu-Natal.
Gauteng aims to become a "smart" province by building a knowledge base for future industries. This is supported by a major thrust of its R1.7 billion Blue IQ initiative to develop the ICT sector through cluster stimulation.
As one of the 11 Blue IQ projects, The Innovation Hub, in its strategic role as a catalyst to help spur the growth of the hi-tech economy in Gauteng is participating in a number of the working groups of the ICT cluster study.
Why clusters?
Clusters create networks of strongly interdependent firms and specialised suppliers, knowledge producing agents (education institutions, research bodies, engineering companies), bridging institutions (brokers, consultants) and customers, and are linked together in a value-adding production chain. A cluster is useful because it is based upon regional proximity as well as a propensity to collaborate. This collaboration often occurs in areas that may be too expensive or too difficult for single firms to access on their own. Examples of this include international marketing and ICT research and development expenditure.
Clusters focus on linkages and interdependence between network participants when delivering products or services and creating innovations. Compared to the sectoral approach of linking strategic groups of similar firms with similar network positions, clustering offers a new approach to the economy, in line with modern trends of increased interaction and interdependency.
Clusters develop more cohesion, which enhances economic and technological development. All over the world, clusters have demonstrated that interaction between key players in business, industry, tertiary education and government R&D around specific projects result in greater profitability and improved business development. Excellent examples are the Finnish, Canadian, Victorian (Australia) and Israeli ICT clusters.
Continued...
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Dealing with knowledge economy demands
"The successful achievement of corporate objectives in the new millennium will increasingly be dependent on strategies based on innovation." Herman Singh, Gordon Institute of Business Science
The knowledge economy is upon us, driven largely by a move towards knowledge-based work and demands for increased employee productivity. There is a need for a fundamental rethink about the way that we promote entrepreneurship, structure organisations, motivate staff, incentivise key performers, measure assets, manage key resources and set up partnership ventures with third parties.
To find out how new approaches to old problems can address these issues and help you to successfully exploit new opportunities in the emerging market place, the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Forum invites you to attend a two-day programme on Innovation for Competitive Advantage, presented by Herman Singh, from 25 - 26 April 2002. Don't miss this excellent, value-filled opportunity! Find out more at www.gibs.co.za
Enhancing technological innovation
The GODISA programme aims to spur economic growth and long-term employment creation through enhancing technological innovation and improving productivity and the international competitiveness of small, medium and micro enterprises. Read more at www.godisa.net
Significant growth in Science Parks worldwide
The Innovation Hub is a member of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP). The graph below, taken from the website of the IASP shows the evolution in their membership over the last eight years, since 1994. These Science Parks are located in 54 countries around the globe.
The IASP defines a Science Park as: "An organisation managed by specialised professionals, whose main aim is to increase the wealth of its community by promoting the culture of innovation and the competitiveness of its associated businesses and knowledge-based institutions. To enable these goals to be met, a Science Park stimulates and manages the flow of knowledge and technology amongst universities, R&D institutions, companies and markets; it facilitates the creation and growth of innovation-based companies through incubation and spin-off processes; and provides other value-added services together with high quality space and facilities". (IASP International Board,
6 February 2002)
Gordon Institute for Business Science - improving the competitive performance of individuals and organisations through business education
www.gibs.co.za
International Association of Science Parks - global network for Science/Technology Parks and innovation-based business incubators
www.iaspworld.org
Science in Africa - Africa's 1st on-line Science magazine
www.scienceinafrica.co.za
South African Information Technology Industry Strategy - developing ICT in South Africa
www.saitis.co.za
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