The Board of Blue IQ and The Innovation Hub are pleased to announce the appointment of McLean Sibanda as Chief Executive Officer of The Innovation Hub, Africa's first internationally accredited science park.
“Mr Sibanda's expertise and leadership in the science and technology sector will serve The Innovation Hub, its partners and the public well. We wish him success in his new position,” said Board Chairman Mogopodi Mokoena.
A subsidiary of Blue IQ, The Innovation Hub was specifically developed to create a unique space for hi-tech entrepreneurs, world-class businesses, academics, researchers and venture capitalists to meet, network and prosper. The Innovation Hub has been identified by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development to implement the initiatives identified in the Gauteng Innovation Strategy as well as in the Green Economy strategy, to advance the economic development and growth of the province through innovation.
“Our agency's objective to create and facilitate innovation in the Gauteng province relies heavily on our ability to identify and nurture the necessary local expertise. Equally important is leadership that will steer the organisation to achieve this, which we believe Mr Sibanda will do, ”said Amanda Nair, Blue IQ's Group CEO.
A qualified Patent Attorney and former Group Executive responsible for Commercialisation at the Technology Innovation Agency, former Acting Executive Director of the Innovation Fund and current board member of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Sibanda's experience includes: consultation for the African Union on the establishment of the Pan-African Intellectual Property Management Office and leading the development of the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act, 2008, and establishment of the National Intellectual Property Management Office, while on secondment to the Department of Science and Technology.
Reacting to his appointment, Sibanda emphasised the need for home-grown solutions on the African continent. “South Africa's ability to find and nurture innovation and scientific solutions to meet the challenges facing the country and the rest of the world is closely tied to our sustainability. The Innovation Hub's support services add value and contribute to the growth of technology-rich enterprises in an environment that promotes innovation and competitiveness for knowledge-based business activities.”
Located in Tshwane, The Innovation Hub facilitates engagement between hi-tech entrepreneurs, SMEs, academic and research organisations and venture capitalists. Among its local partners and tenants are the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, the University of Pretoria, AfricaBio, SAPPI and TIA.
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