Photo: From left: Aphiwe Sogiba, first year in Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management;  Ntebaleng Junia Lemphane, final year student in MEng in Electrical Engineering; Siphiwe Mfana Mkhwanazi, final year in BEngTech in Electrical Engineering and Siphamandla Mtelekiso, also in his final year of BEngTech in Electrical Engineering. In absentia is Bongani Tshabalala, final year in BEngTech in Electrical Engineering.

 

Five CUT students travelled to Limassol in Cyprus on 12 June 2023, to participate in the finals of the Eurydice Acceleration program. The collective consists of students from the following groups - Just Energy Solutions(JUSI); and Aphiwe Sogiba team, who are amongst the outstanding business concepts presenters in the category of renewable energy as mandated by Eurydice.

Among the participating students are Ms Junia of the Just Energy Solutions group who expressed how honoured she is to take part in this global programme and appreciates the learnings such as the role of renewable energy in today’s world and having an entrepreneurial outlook in life that she drew from her participation in the earlier stages of the programme. Another member from Just Energy Solutions group, Mr Siphiwe Mkhwanazi, indicated that he is looking forward to return from Cyprus with a changed mindset and share his growth and acquired knowledge with his peers within his professional community and society at large. 

The Aphiwe Sogiba team member, Mr Siphamandla Mtelekiso vehemently stated that winning the trip to attend the acceleration program in Cyprus has sparked a profound sense of joy and gratitude within him. “Travelling overseas and experiencing a different country is something I never dreamed of. Therefore, using this global experience and enhancing my knowledge in renewable energy field will enable me to lead in knowledge transferring and exploring innovative solutions to solve energy challenges faced by the country and the rest of the continent.”

In her comment, Ms Refilwe Moleyane, Deputy Director: International Academic Partnerships said “the golden thread from all the students’ aspirations is enhancing their business concepts into sustainable start-ups that can create employment opportunities and use renewable energy solutions to contribute to sustainable development goals, something that our country needs. Our students are competent enough to establish strategic partnerships and build businesses that are ready to compete on a global scale,” she said.

For the students to qualify for the Cyprus trip, they underwent at least six stages that had different deliverables. The various stages included training that covered the following areas: business model canvas; proof of concept or prototyping; pitch deck; legal and tax issues; and financing the idea.

 The travelling students added that among the expectations of their trip, they also aim to export values instilled into them by the university such as Ubuntu, Integrity, Diversity, Innovation and excellence, and inspire others to embrace the same principles in all their endeavors.

Uploaded: 20 June 2023