CUT and NAFCOC officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 20 September 2013 to collaborate in the development of SMME's. 

The collaboration is intended to bring CUT and the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry Free State (NAFCOC) together to focus on exploiting the institutional strengths and capabilities of the two organisations for the benefit of the socio-economic development and advancement of the central region.  This collaboration will widen the scope of cooperation in areas such as their perennial projects, business profiling, executive development programmes, business support, and incubation. “CUT has the facilities, expertise and experience to support economic growth projects and assist NAFCOC in achieving its objectives of developing commercial processes for the production of agricultural products and manufacturing incubators across the province”, said Mr Dikgang Mentoro, President of NAFCOC. He said that he considered this partnership as an important milestone for NAFCOC because the two parties have formalised the establishment of the strategic alliance which will complement their organisational capacities in many of their endeavours. “This is a long-term initiative which over time will bear fruits” said Prof. Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, Dean of Academic Development and Support whom the university depended upon with her team for their commitment, and dedication to make this partnership possible. 

The agreement states that CUT and NAFCOC will collaborate in the development of Small Medium, and Macro Enterprises (SMME’s) and will focus predominantly in the Free State as well as central region, thus promoting economic growth. “This new partnership forms part of the very important work we do at CUT in socio-economic and skills development of the region.” stated Monnapula-Mapesela. Prof. Henk de Jager, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, stated that partners are pivotal to a university’s success; hence a strong focus on partnerships in Vision2020. “We are part of the Regional Innovation Forum of the Free State, currently developing the strategy and foresee a great number of collaboration opportunities. Another focus for the new partnership will be proposal creation to uplift the region, and promote economic empowerment,” he said. 

Professor Henk de Jager, and Mr Dikgang Mentoro. Prof. Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, Professor Henk de Jager, Mr Dikgang Mentoro, and Mr Phaladi Matsole, Deputy President of NAFCOC.