NEW INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS SPARKED
- maryke012
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Foundation is proud to launch SPARK KZN – a landmark, first-of-its-kind workshop designed to bring together local businesses, leading UKZN academics and representatives from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation
(DSTI) for a high-impact day of collaboration, innovation and opportunity.
Taking place on 3 March 2026 at the Graduate School of Business on the Westville campus, SPARK KZN aims to open new pathways between academia and industry, strengthening the province’s innovation ecosystem and showcasing how strategic partnerships can drive economic growth in KwaZulu- Natal. For local businesses seeking fresh ideas, technical
expertise or avenues for expansion, the workshop offers a unique gateway into UKZN’s
world-class research capabilities and South Africa’s enhanced incentives for research and
development (R&D).
At the heart of this initiative is the DSTI’s 150% tax rebate, available to approved companies engaging in qualifying R&D activities. This powerful incentive encourages businesses to invest in new products, technologies and solutions. SPARK KZN will give business leaders direct
access to experts who can guide them through the registration process and demonstrate how
collaboration with UKZN can unlock this opportunity.
UKZN’s research strengths span engineering, green energy, agriculture, health sciences and
quantum physics, among others – positioning the university to help local enterprises tackle real-world challenges, accelerate innovation and boost competitiveness. Through SPARK KZN, business leaders will meet researchers whose work has the potential to transform industries and energise the province’s economic landscape.
“This initiative is about forging meaningful connections between academia, business and government,” says Steve Camp, executive director of the UKZN Foundation. “By aligning the research strengths of our university with the practical needs of industry, we can stimulate innovation, create employment opportunities and contribute to the province’s broader economic development.
Collaboration of this kind is essential if KwaZulu-Natal is to build a more resilient, knowledge-driven economy.”
The workshop will:
■ Facilitate direct engagement between UKZN researchers and business leaders across diverse sectors
■ Showcase UKZN’s cuttingedge research capabilities and how they can support
local industry needs
■ Highlight the advantages of the DSTI’s 150% R&D tax incentive and guide companies on how to access it
■ Lay the foundation for long-term partnerships capable of generating new ventures, technologies and jobs in KZN
“SPARK KZN is more than an event – it’s the start of a powerful new conversation between the people who create knowledge and the innovators who turn it into real-world progress. By connecting industry with UKZN’s research strengths, we can drive solutions, stimulate growth
and position KwaZulu-Natal as a leader in innovation-driven development.
“We invite local businesses to join us, engage with our top researchers and help spark the
breakthroughs that can move our province forward,” said
Camp.
