GPG foresight lauded by international academic

Dr Neville Comins and Prof David Pettifor looking at the South African innovators commemorated on the Hub's Tribute to Innovation Wall for their contributions to South Africa's standing in science and technology internationally, and standing in front of the maxum Business Incubator's banner in the foyer of the Innovation Centre.

The Innovation Hub recently hosted a former contemporary of CEO Dr Neville Comins, whom he met while completing his PhD studies in the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

The visit to the Hub by Professor David Pettifor from the University of Oxford, allowed him to take a look at the development that had taken place at the Hub since the move to its new site little more than a year ago, in January 2005.

A Physics graduate from the University of the Witwatersrand, Prof Pettifor is now the Isaac Wolfson Professor of Metallurgy, as well as Director of the Materials Modeling Laboratory at the University of Oxford in the UK. This University is an acknowledged world-leading centre, spanning the spectrum from nanoscale quantum mechanical simulations through to macroscopic continuum modeling.

According to Prof Pettifor, he was most impressed by the stylish yet practical architecture that greeted him on his arrival at the Hub. "I believe Gauteng Provincial Government is to be congratulated on its foresight in setting up the first Science Park in Africa."

Prof Pettifor also indicated that it was clear that a great deal of thought had gone into the planning of the Hub precinct, with the open-access offices of the Incubation zone to encourage interaction during the early stages of growth. He was also impressed by the more private facilities of the Enterprise Building, which guarantees confidentiality of operations for the small and medium sized tenants, and the easy access between buildings and across the site, due to most cars being parked underground.

"In the year since its official opening the Hub team has created a truly vibrant community. The Incubation zone buzzes with activity, from enthusiastic CoachLab students working on industry projects to ambitious young entrepreneurs establishing their own companies. And the Enterprise Building is a hive of activity, and already almost completely full, with sixty clients. Well done indeed. I look forward to revisiting the Hub in the years to come to see successes of today's young spin-out companies."

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