Prof. Samson Mashele, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, inspiring researchers to pursue impactful scholarship during the Research Strategic Plan Workshop, emphasising the importance of incentivising high-impact research and encouraging scholars to focus on innovation and real-world solutions that drive positive change and societal progress.

At the heart of every University of Technology lies a shared mission, to transform knowledge into innovation and research into real-world solutions. For the CUT, producing research that makes a difference is not just an aspiration; it is a responsibility.

From 03–04 November 2025, CUT researchers, scholars, and leaders convened for the Research Strategic Plan 2026–2030 Workshop, a pivotal moment to reimagine the future of research and innovation at the university. The workshop, facilitated by Prof. Zodwa Dlamini, Founding Director of the Pan African Cancer Research Institute (PACRI), provided a platform for robust dialogue, critical reflection, and forward-thinking collaboration.

The collective focus was clear, to shape a research agenda that not only generates new knowledge but transforms it into meaningful societal impact. The forthcoming Research Development Strategic Plan 2026-2030 will serve as a blueprint to guide CUT’s research direction over the next five years, ensuring that innovation, excellence, and social relevance remain at the core of its mission. This plan will align seamlessly with the university’s broader institutional strategy, reinforcing its vision of being a leading African university of technology that inspires innovation for a better world.

Speaking at the workshop, Prof. Samson Mashele, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, underscored the significance of this strategic shift. “CUT must transition from measuring quantity to leading with impact,” said Prof. Mashele. “Our focus must move toward quality, visibility, and relevance. We need to produce high-impact publications, support postgraduate students tackling real-world challenges, and align our work with national and global development goals.”

He added that the university’s ultimate goal is to be recognised not just as a producer of knowledge, but as an institution that transforms lives, shapes industries, and defines the future. “If you publish a paper and nobody engages with it, you become a silent shadow in the halls of knowledge,” he continued. “We must ask ourselves whether we incentivise existence or impact. Our future lies in rewarding quality, engagement, and transformation, not just volume.”

The workshop served as a powerful reminder that without research, a university risks losing its voice in shaping the future. For CUT, this new strategic plan represents more than a roadmap, it is a renewed commitment to reclaiming that voice. Through impactful, relevant, and transformative research, CUT aims to ensure that its scholarship not only speaks loudly but resonates widely, inspiring innovation, development, and lasting change.

CUT researchers, scholars, postgraduate leaders, and institutional executives gathered to co-create the Research Strategic Plan 2026–2030. Front from left: Prof. Yali Woyessa, Professor of Water Resource Management (Civil Engineering); Prof. Kanzumba Kusakana, Professor of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering; and Prof. Elisha Markus, Professor of Electrical Engineering.