Government is fooling itself if it believes the collaboration between universities and business is successful, says Digital Rocket Science.
Government is asserting that local universities are wonderful but, according to surveys, not a single South African university ranks in the world`s top 200, says David Hislop, CEO of Digital Rocket Science.
"More importantly there are only a handful of local companies in the Forbes top 2000 index," he adds.
Government needs to spend money on development and play the unbiased third-party in this collaboration, says Hislop.
Hislop, along with other speakers, will address delegates at Brainstorm Cape 2005 - ICT in the Cape for the Cape, which takes place on 14 and 15 September in Cape Town.
He will examine options for supporting and furthering commercial activities and innovations in South African universities and give pointers on how academics and business leaders can collaborate on the benefits of both sectors for commercial gain.
Funding innovation
The ICT-related challenges, obstacles and solutions faced by the South African IT sector are the focus of day two of the event.
Areef Suleman, senior fund manager at SPII (Support Programme for Industrial innovation), will unravel various funding initiatives offered to those involved in product or process development.
SPII is a Department of Trade and Industry funding initiative, managed by the Industrial Development Corporation.
Funding scope, criteria, costs and ways of securing funding will be discussed, says Suleman.
"It is important for companies seeking funding to consider technical innovation, the project`s commercial potential and that relevant project management skills are in place," says Suleman. "The initiative will not give a company 100% funding," he adds.
Suleman says SPII will have a significant impact on the local economy.
Richard Holt, MD of funding initiative Qualia, will discuss how ICT SMEs can create opportunity to compete and partner globally.
"Companies can develop that niche and competitive advantage, which will allow them to win and develop business internationally," he says.
Martin Feinstein, CEO of NPO Enablis, will examine the role non-profit organisations (NPOs) play in supporting and growing businesses.
Using Enablis as a discussion point, Feinstein will show how an NPO with a social mission, but run according to business principles, can influence a local economy.
Cape Town leads the way
Amazon recently launched the software development hub in Cape Town and Willem van Biljon will discuss why global players should take Cape Town as a software hub seriously.
Van Biljon is a member of the Cape IT Initiative board and recently moved over to the Amazon software development hub from Mosaic software.
What it takes for a small business to thrive in SA will be discussed by Roger Strain, manager of business solutions at Liquid Thought, an e-business services and consulting solutions company.
The Brainstorm Cape proceedings will be closed by Bryan Hattingh, CEO of Cycan, with critical insight aimed at anyone considering entering the SME space.
He will show that achieving sustainable growth and success in the SME sector requires more than most entrepreneurs expect.
Related story:
No VOIP benefit for employees
Share
