Innovus, the Stellenbosch University (SU) Technology Transfer Office (TTO) hosted an exclusive Industry-University Engagement on 08 October 2025 at the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden. The theme was – Exploring collaboration for a sustainable future.
The event brought together select industry partners and researchers to engage in meaningful discussions around market-driven innovation.
“University-industry collaboration is imperative and the TTO can help to bridge the gap between cutting-edge academic research and commercial application by getting the right partners into the room. We want to ensure that innovations developed at SU contribute to economic growth and societal advancement” said Ravini Moodley, Director for SU TTO.
The TTO helps to translate often complex early-stage university research into concepts of novel products and services. This is done by aligning research teams with the right industry partners who are willing to jointly embark on an exciting journey of technology development and commercialisation.
The TTO reviewed and identified promising technologies in various fields. From biotechnology, drones to tuberculosis diagnostics and polymers. SU researchers have been developing solutions to some of the world’s toughest challenges.
Together with the research team, appropriate industry partners were identified to visit the university and discuss technologies, possibly collaborate on further research and hopefully license and commercialise some of the technologies. Industry partners also provided insights onto current challenges which needed research intervention in the future.
The event included nine short presentations by the researchers on technologies developed at the university. This was followed by discussions over breakfast, where industry partners were able ask specific questions about the technologies and determine if the technologies were suitable for their applications.
Introducing her ongoing work in sustainable biotechnology, Prof. Marinda Viljoen-Bloom, an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology in SU shared insights on projects her team is driving forward. She said, “Our research focuses on two main areas, biofuels and bioplastics. In our biofuels project, we design yeast strains that produce enzymes capable of breaking down organic materials such as starch and cellulose into sugars, which can then be converted into bioethanol.”
Dr Reuben Pfukwa discussed a technology developed by his team which focuses on creating targeted drug delivery systems that guide cancer-fighting molecules directly to affected cells, reducing harm to healthy ones.
Overall, the event marked an important step towards aligning university innovations with industry needs.