UP launches ‘Campus Catalyst’ to show how research becomes solutions
The University of Pretoria’s new Campus Catalyst: From research to real-world impact publication, launched by the Department of Research and Innovation, showcases 10 spin-out enterprises turning university research into practical solutions that benefit society and industry.
The University of Pretoria (UP) has unveiled a new publication titled "Campus Catalyst: From research to real-world impact," showcasing the journey of 10 spin-out enterprises that have transformed university research into practical solutions. This initiative is spearheaded by UP's Department of Research and Innovation (DRI) to highlight the crucial role of research in addressing real-world challenges.
HearX Group, a featured enterprise co-founded by Professor De Wet Swanepoel, developed smartphone-based hearing assessment tools that have benefited over 600,000 individuals in 190 countries. UP's Technology Transfer Office (TTO), under Advocate Lawrence Baloyi, assists researchers in navigating intellectual property protection, funding, and partnerships to bring their innovations to market.
The publication emphasizes the often unseen struggles behind successful innovations, such as prototype failures and funding challenges. UP Vice-Chancellor Professor Francis Petersen underscores the university's role as a transformative agent, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with government, civil society, and the private sector to achieve lasting impact.
The featured enterprises demonstrate the practical application of research across various fields, from construction materials to public health solutions. UP's 2038 institutional roadmap aims to connect academic expertise with societal needs, as highlighted by the successful stories in Campus Catalyst.
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