Globelics 2005 Africa conference delegates visit the Hub

Delegates from the Globelics Africa 2005 Conference recently visited The Innovation Hub. Mr Tsietsi Maleho, Manager Corporate Affairs at the Hub, with delegates from Globelics 2005 Africa. Visitors viewing one of the virtual reality solutions on the display by the Naledi3d Factory. Display panels for Expertron, with information on their Cell Power pre-paid vending product in the foreground.

Delegates from 21 countries attending the Globelics 2005 Africa Conference, hosted in Pretoria by the Tshwane University of Technology in November this year, visited The Innovation Hub as part of their week long conference programme. This annual event is specifically orientated towards supporting processes aimed at ensuring the sustainability of Africa's revival, growth and development.

Globelics is the global network for the economics of learning, innovation and competence-building systems. The Globelics 2005 Africa theme focused on 'Innovation systems promoting economic growth, social cohesion and good governance', and sought to mobilise international academic and intellectual resources to enhance the quality of research and knowledge about learning, innovation and competence-building systems.

During their visit to The Innovation Hub, the group met with Hub CEO Dr Neville Comins and representatives from three of the start-up companies participating in the incubation programmes in the maxum Business Incubator. The visitors were given an overview of the Hub and its role in the National System of Innovation before discussing some of the recent innovative developments from the start-ups Expertron, TMI Consultancy and the Naledi3d Factory with their representatives, Dr Walter Smuts, Thivash Moodley and Dave Lockwood respectively. The delegates expressed specific interest in the benefits of being based in maxum and participating in the incubation programme

According to Thivash Moodley of TMI Consultancy, "The benefits that we have experienced from being at maxum have included advice from a business mentor, facilitated access to sources of funds, brand and media exposure, as well as being able to interact and network with established companies and other innovators. We would not have had access to all of this had we opted to locate in a different environment, and it continues to add significant value to our daily business operations."

All the tenants at maxum were given the opportunity to exhibit their services and products in the exhibition area in the foyer of the Innovation Centre, where the visitors and tenants had the opportunity to continue discussions and talk about what was on display.

After their visit to the Hub, the delegates also stopped off at the South African Botanical Gardens and the Automotive Industrial Supplier Park in Rosslyn.

For more information about Globelics 2005 Africa Conference, visit their website at www.globelics2005africa.org.za.

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