By Nosipho Mnyandu
The Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Polokwane Campus came alive with ideas and inspiration during Research Day 2025, where students and academics gathered under the theme “Catalysing Change Through Impactful Research, Innovation and Engagement for Sustainable Development.”
The event created a platform for sharing research that drives transformation and community impact. Campus Rector, Dr Walter Tshamano, emphasised that research at TUT goes beyond academic inquiry and serves as a catalyst for societal change. “TUT’s research agenda is not isolated from academic exercise but serves as a tool for empowering communities and transforming society through meaningful and impactful research. This is the moral anchor of all that we do,” he said.
Dr Tshamano urged researchers to align their studies with the developmental priorities of Limpopo and South Africa, ensuring that the work contributes to the localization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030).
Prof Ricky Mukonza, Academic Manager in the Faculty of Humanities, explained that the event was designed to spark dialogue and collaboration rather than merely present completed projects. “This is not a conference for showcasing finished products, but a forum for rigorous critique, potential collaboration and nurturing budding ideas,” he said.
Prof Tanyani Madzivhandila (centre) receives a token of appreciation for delivering the keynote address from Campus Rector, Dr Walter Tshamano and Prof Ricky Mukonza, Academic Manager, Faculty of Humanities.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof Thanyani Madzivhandila from the University of Limpopo’s Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership explored “Research and Innovation for Africa’s Sustainability and Community Impact.” He discussed the research-innovation nexus, the reinvention of Zai Technology and the importance of “greening the economy.”
Prof Madzivhandila urged participants to strengthen collaboration and leadership in research to advance community development. “If we are to come together, we cannot only use our resources in terms of money but also in terms of personnel, understanding, and knowledge that can have a real impact,” he concluded.
Through Research Day 2025, TUT Polokwane Campus reaffirmed its commitment to advancing innovation that addresses local challenges and contributes to sustainable development across Africa.
A group of delegates attending Research Day 2025 at TUT's Polokwane Campus.