After three years of planning and development, the University of the Witwatersrand has officially opened the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein.
In partnership with government, business and industry, the university's Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) unit set up the digital hub to encourage tech innovation and collaboration between researchers and students and the private, public and civil society sectors in Johannesburg.
According to the JCSE, the precinct will be a space where the incubation of start-ups, the commercialisation of research and the development of high-level digital skills for students, working professionals and unemployed youths will take place.
"We hope that transforming Braamfontein into Africa's premier technology hub will inspire new talent, create jobs and lead to an economic renaissance," says professor Barry Dwolatzky, director of the JCSE.
He adds: "Tshimologong will be a start-up incubator, business accelerator and source of skills. The focus is on digital hardware, software and content. We are creating a hub space where people can get together, brainstorm and work on creative projects."
The precinct has open-plan co-working areas, broadband connectivity for ICT start-ups, meeting and refreshment zones, computer laboratories, training rooms, maker spaces, creative content development environments, and administrative and infrastructure support offices.
"Wits aims to inspire the development of a new generation of digital technology experts, innovators and entrepreneurs, and Tshimologong will provide an enabling space for our country's most creative young minds to develop new digital technologies that are crucial to SA's economic growth and international competitiveness," says professor Adam Habib, vice-chancellor and principal at Wits University.
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