About Walter Sisulu
Get in touch
Email Address:
Contact Numbers:
Mthatha: 047 502 2100
Butterworth: 047 401 6000
East London: 043 702 9200
Potsdam: 043 708 5200
Chiselhurst: 043 709 4000
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Anchored in its vision to be an impactful, technology-infused African university, iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu drives regional innovation, advanced manufacturing, digital technology transfer, and sustainable infrastructure development across the Eastern Cape.
Advanced Manufacturing, Technology Transfer & Industry Collaboration
- DSI Nano-Micro Manufacturing Facility Node. iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu hosts the DSI Nano-Micro Manufacturing Facility Node, appointing Dr. Batsi Magunje—a physics senior lecturer and specialist in nano-materials science—as Director. This node enhances the university's innovation profile in advanced manufacturing, nano- materials research, technology development, and commercialisable knowledge production.
- Office of Technology Transfer (OTT). The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) at Walter Sisulu is tasked with identifying research and innovation (R&I) projects heading toward commercialisation and expanding awareness around intellectual property rights and patents.
- 4IR & Industrial SETA Partnerships. Walter Sisulu maintains high-impact Memorandum of Agreements (MoAs) with industrial training authorities including the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA), merSETA, and the Council for the Built Environment (CBE). Strategic Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) collaborations incorporate the e-Skills CoLab, Vodacom Digital Skills Hub, and IBM Skills Academy to strengthen digital infrastructure, technical skills, and industry readiness.
Digital Infrastructure: ICT Modernisation & Digital Divide Interventions
- DIRISA & CSIR High School Coding School. Read the story. Walter Sisulu hosted a week-long coding school in partnership with the Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa (DIRISA) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Trained high school learners from 15 schools in the OR Tambo region in data literacy, computational thinking, and STEM problem-solving.
- NTG Solutions Scarce-Skills AI Partnership. Read the story. The Faculty of Natural Sciences at Walter Sisulu partnered with NTG Solutions to deliver a scarce-skills training initiative for 150 unemployed youth in Mthatha, offering specialised training in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data management, monthly stipends, and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements.
- NEMISA Rural Cellphone Repair Enterprise. Read the story. Coordinated by the Walter Sisulu eSkills CoLab in Lusikisiki, this four-week digital entrepreneurship program equips rural youth with hardware repair skills, web development fundamentals, and business registration support.
- Campus ICT Infrastructure & Smart Classrooms. Walter Sisulu invested in expanding its ICT foundations, integrating smart classroom technologies, interactive learning tools, and digital platforms like WiSeUp and Moodle across delivery sites.
Sustainable Infrastructure, Renewable Technology & Public Policy
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Generation Projects. Read the story. Walter Sisulu invested R10 million in a pilot solar energy project installing 486 solar panels (274 kW generation capacity) across lecture blocks, auditoriums, halls, and carports at the Potsdam Site to reduce electricity expenses and diesel reliance during grid power outages. Commissioned a 188kW Hybrid Solar Installation at the Potsdam Engineering Building, which serves as a regional learning model visited by peer institutions like the University of Zululand.
- Ministerial Built Environment Policy Leadership. The Head of the Built Environment Department at Walter Sisulu was appointed to the Public Works and Infrastructure Ministerial Review Panel, contributing university technical expertise to national infrastructure policy. Co-hosted the International Conference for Sustainable Construction alongside the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), bringing together policymakers and engineering researchers to promote climate-resilient regional infrastructure
This account is drawn from the iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu Sustainability Impact Progress Report, prepared against the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings methodology.
The Sustainable Development Goals icons are United Nations marks, used here for information. The content of this publication has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States. Read the Sustainable Development Goals.
