Unisa’s catalytic niche areas are gaining international traction as Prof LenkaBula champions Africa’s intellectual futures at global events

At the heart of Unisa's academic strategy are its Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs), which are designed to unlock new research opportunities, boost global visibility, and drive sustainable solutions to pressing global issues.

The University of South Africa (Unisa) in August hosted a landmark symposium, bringing together top industry leaders and experts to explore the university's innovative research agenda and its commitment to addressing societal challenges.

The event, coordinated by Prof Les Labuschagne, Executive Director of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation, served as a platform for strategic discussions on the development of Unisa's Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) a transformative initiative aimed at positioning the university as a global leader in high-impact fields of study.

The CNAs initiative, introduced under the leadership of Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa’s first female Principal and Vice-Chancellor, aims to drive focused research that will have a lasting impact on South Africa and beyond.

The CNAs were identified as part of a broader, research-driven strategy that seeks to invigorate the university’s academic offerings, stimulate innovation, and provide tailored solutions to pressing societal needs.

Prof Thenjiwe Meyiwa, Vice-Principal of Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation, reflected on the mixed reactions the CNAs initially received.

"There were uncertainties and some scepticism about how these niche areas would align with Unisa's comprehensive open, distance, and eLearning model," she said.

"Marine studies, aviation, and automotive studies, for instance, were areas that many questioned. But as we continued to unpack the potential of these fields, understanding grew, and acceptance followed."

One of the key drivers of the CNAs is their potential to impact job creation. Citing the national unemployment rate of 33.5%, translating into 8.4 million jobless South Africans, Meyiwa underscored how the CNAs could play a significant role in addressing this crisis.

"The possibility of making a huge impact on job creation adds to the many reasons why the university adopted the CNAs," she said.

Prof Tennyson Mgutshini, Executive Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, which is tasked with overseeing the CNAs, elaborated on how these niche areas fit into Unisa's broader mission of scholarly excellence.

He emphasised that the CNAs are designed not only to address historical inequities but also to focus on areas of societal priority, such as health sciences, that have proven critical during global crises like the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mgutshini noted that some CNAs represent fields that offer the greatest research and funding opportunities.

"Focusing on these areas allows us to tap into new revenue streams, attract grants, and open up opportunities for graduates to become experts in fields that are groundbreaking," he said.

This strategic focus, he added, will elevate Unisa’s standing in the global academic community.

"Great universities are not defined by being jacks-of-all-trades," Mgutshini said. "Rather, they are defined by their specific niche areas, and the CNAs propel us towards that ideal."

Moreover, Mgutshini emphasised the importance of collaboration across disciplines to optimise the CNAs.

By encouraging interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and even multi-disciplinary approaches, Unisa aims to infuse innovation into every area of research and education, ensuring that scholars and staff actively contribute to the success of the CNAs.

A highlight of the symposium was the keynote address by Prof Tankiso Moloi, Chair of 4IR Initiatives at the University of Johannesburg, who discussed the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), its impact on future careers, and the role of higher education institutions in adapting to this technological shift.

Moloi traced the evolution of industrial revolutions, noting that while the first three revolutions were defined by steam engines, electricity, and electronic innovations, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is fundamentally different.

"4IR is a confluence of cyber, physical, and biological technologies," Moloi explained, highlighting technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) that are reshaping industries and societies.

Moloi also addressed the implications of automation for the workforce, forecasting that work will be impacted by three distinct waves: the first, driven by algorithms; the second, by augmentation; and the third, by autonomy.

These changes, he noted, will require educational institutions to rethink qualifications and create flexible, responsive learning opportunities that align with rapidly evolving job markets.

"Universities must restructure qualifications to enable adaptation," Moloi said.

"We need to introduce technical and non-technical courses, and promote lifelong learning through reskilling and upskilling programs for professionals."

Moloi also touched on the risks associated with AI, including ethical concerns, cyber security issues, and the concentration of power within large tech companies.

However, he encouraged higher education institutions to embrace 4IR with an agile mindset.

"To remain relevant, institutions must be fluid.

"The future is fluid, and to adapt, one must be formless and shapeless,’’ said Moloi.

The Unisa symposium highlighted the university’s forward-thinking approach to research and innovation.

With the CNAs initiative at its core, Unisa is poised to become a global leader in cutting-edge fields while addressing societal challenges and contributing to job creation.

As Meyiwa aptly put it: "Every researcher, administrator, and staff member must own the CNAs, think innovatively, and actively strategise towards their realisation."

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