Academics, postgraduate students, and researchers from local and international universities attend the third Annual Research Winter School at the CUT Welkom Campus.

The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) Welkom Campus is hosting its third annual Research Winter School, bringing together academics, postgraduate students, and researchers from local and international universities for a five-day programme dedicated to strengthening research capacity, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and advancing knowledge exchange.

Hosted by the Centre for Diversity in Higher Education Research under the theme, “Reinventing Our Research Landscape: Creating a CUT Above the Best,” the initiative provides a dynamic platform for scholarly engagement, skills development, and the exchange of innovative research practices. It is designed to enhance research capacity, promote collaborative partnerships, and advance innovative approaches to research and postgraduate supervision.

Prof. Linda Zikhona Linganiso, Full Professor of Circular Economy at the University of South Africa (UNISA), delivers the keynote address on the role of social innovation, collaboration, and community-centred research in advancing research excellence at the third Annual Research Winter School.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Linda Z. Linganiso, Full Professor of Circular Economy at the University of South Africa (UNISA), challenged delegates to reimagine research as a catalyst for transformation. She proposed the establishment of Social Innovation Hubs that would bring together universities, industry, government, and communities to co-create practical solutions while strengthening inclusive research and community engagement.

Emphasising the role of social innovation in driving institutional excellence, she remarked, “For CUT to be above the best, social innovation and diversity must be the main engines for transformation,” calling for research that is inclusive, community-centred, and impact-driven. She further identified inclusive knowledge production, ethical innovation, global recognition, and community empowerment as the key pillars for advancing research excellence.

Prof. Linganiso further emphasised that research should extend beyond academic publications to deliver measurable impact through policy development, innovation, and community empowerment. She encouraged researchers to embrace interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthen international partnerships, and harness emerging technologies to produce research that addresses societal challenges and advances sustainable development. "Universities of technology have a responsibility not only to generate knowledge, but to apply it in ways that transform communities and create sustainable solutions," she said.

Prof. Bekithemba Dube, Director: Centre for Diversity in Higher Education Research, reflects on the continued growth and impact of CUT’s third Annual Research Winter School in advancing research capacity, academic excellence, and collaborative scholarship.

Reflecting on the growth and impact of the initiative, Prof. Bekithemba Dube, Director: Centre for Diversity in Higher Education Research and custodian of the Research Winter School, highlighted its expanding reach and strategic importance. Since its inception in 2024, participation has grown significantly, increasing from 120 delegates in 2025 to 220 in 2026, with academics, postgraduate students, and researchers from CUT, as well as local and international universities taking part.

During the breakaway sessions, scholars engaged in in-depth discussions during the AI session, exploring tools and approaches shaping the future of ethical and innovative research.

He described the Research Winter School as a strategic investment in developing the next generation of researchers and academics while strengthening CUT’s research culture and institutional impact. “We want to create a new model for developing the next generation of academics because we believe that by investing in our postgraduate students and academics, we are building a stronger university with greater research impact, visibility, and sustainability,” he said.

In conclusion, Prof. Dube reaffirmed the programme’s vision of empowering researchers to make a lasting impact. “We hope to equip participants with enhanced research capabilities, strengthen collaborative networks, and inspire a renewed commitment to producing impactful, socially responsive research that advances knowledge, contributes to societal development, and further strengthens the University’s research excellence,” he said.

Researchers and postgraduate students learn how to use Artificial Intelligence tools, including Gemini, to search for scholarly literature using trusted sources and organise research materials more efficiently.