ADAPT recently welcomed a delegation from South Africa and the wider Southern African Development Community (SADC) region as part of an international study visit focused on strengthening university–industry collaboration, entrepreneurship education and innovation ecosystems. The visit formed part of the UNIICO project, a three-year international initiative aimed at improving graduate employability, supporting start-up growth and fostering job creation across Southern Africa by strengthening the role of universities as engines of innovation and entrepreneurship
During their visit, delegates met with members of ADAPT to learn how Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem supports collaboration between universities, industry and policy makers. Discussions focused on how research centres such as ADAPT work with companies and public bodies to translate research into real-world impact.
A key theme of the visit was entrepreneurship education in practice and examining how universities design curricula that build entrepreneurial skills, connect students with industry, and support innovation activities through technology transfer offices and structured partnerships. The delegation explored how these approaches might be adapted to different national and institutional contexts within the SADC region, including South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini and Namibia.
By sharing Irish and European experience of research-driven entrepreneurship and industry collaboration, ADAPTis contributing to global conversations on how universities can support skills development, innovation and sustainable economic growth.
