Telkom and Wits University today formalised an agreement to establish the Telkom Industry Solutions Lab, a commercial research and development (R&D) facility.
It is dedicated to accelerating synergistic collaboration between industry and academia, says a statement.
The collaborative effort aims to pave the way for innovations in telecommunications and the development of transformative digital solutions for various industries.
The agreement to launch the venture was signed today, with BCX CEO Jonas Bogoshi and Wits University vice-chancellor and principal professor Zeblon Vilakazi in attendance.
“We are excited to sign the strategic agreement that puts this partnership with Wits into effect,” says Bogoshi. “We see the lab as a platform to translate academic research into commercially viable and socially impactful solutions.”
Located at the Wits Innovation Centre (WIC), the lab will serve as a space where various disciplines converge to ideate, research, collaborate and support innovation, from the initial stages to entrepreneurship and commercialisation.
Projects will span industry products and solutions, applied research for specific industries, innovation driven by local challenges, advanced technology solutions, and industry-led fundamental science and engineering, according to the statement.
It will be led by a team of Telkom and Wits research and innovation leaders, namely Dr Maletsabisa Molapo, executive for research and innovation at Telkom, and Letlotlo Phohole, senior programme manager of WIC.
“The WIC is the epicentre of our innovation ecosystem at Wits, where we harness a wellspring of diverse expertise and talent to solve complex, real-world problems,” states Vilakazi.
“Collaboration in innovation is key and we are excited to see the cutting-edge solutions that will emerge from the Telkom Industry Solutions Lab.”
The lab is a key strategic initiative aimed at supporting innovation within the Telkom Group, adds group executive for innovation and transformation Dr Mmaki Jantjies.
"Globally, many of the most transformative inventions have been developed through innovation partnerships between industry leaders in technology and research-intensive universities," she explains.
"Similarly, this partnership with Wits aims to foster an ecosystem where creativity and collaboration will flourish − leveraging the combined expertise and resources of the Telkom Group and the university."
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