Graduates and third-year students in engineering, science and health sciences can apply, before November 30, for the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) postgraduate diploma in innovation and entrepreneurship to become catalysts for business ownership and job creation.

The programme was developed, and is led, by the Wits Innovation Centre, and will bridge the gap between academic research and real-world innovation. It will empower students to translate their research into tangible solutions that drive meaningful change in society.

The diploma seeks to harness the entrepreneurial spirit of young scientists and engineers to ensure their research outcomes translate into practical application.

"We encourage candidates who are contemplating pursuing a Master's or PhD in any of these fields to apply to the course, so they can embark on advanced degrees armed with the knowledge of how to commercialise their research," says Wits course coordinator Professor Christo Doherty.

"Graduates of this programme will have a wealth of career opportunities and, equipped with the aptitude and mindset for innovation and creation, they represent the future generation of entrepreneurs and job creators. They will not merely seek jobs, but will create them," he states.

The programme’s objective is to expedite the transformation of students' research and ideas into commercially viable endeavours or solutions with significant societal impact.

Further, from 2025, the programme will expand to include humanities, commerce and other faculties.

The PGDip in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a multi-faculty initiative characterised by a hands-on approach, with a year-long research project at its core. Students will collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary team of lecturers, and gain invaluable insights and guidance throughout their journey.

The curriculum covers critical subjects including the fundamentals of business for innovators, innovation and the commercialisation of research, creating ventures for innovators, and applying design thinking to innovation.

"South African universities must give attention to discovery research and innovation. This novel diploma will combine collaborative teaching and learning to fast-track researchers into careers as innovators and entrepreneurs,” says Wits Faculty of Science Dean Professor Nithaya Chetty.