Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Pamela Dube was among a sterling lineup of thought leaders invited from across sectors to the second annual Tech for Humanity Summit on 6 June 2024. The Virginia Tech Arlington Campus Summit in the USA led to fruitful discussions on shared visions for a humane and democratic technological future through interdisciplinary inquiry. These discussions resulted in concrete action plans and collaborations with CUT, furthering the cause of technology for humanity.  

Prof Pamela Dube, an accomplished international leader in academia, envisions a future for CUT that is not just a vision but a reality in the making.  She is steering the establishment of a research centre on the human-technology interface she delivered during her inaugural address as a new vice-chancellor at CUT. Her belief in the university's potential to steer the university community towards a future driven by innovation and global connectivity forms the basis for her confidence in the university’s capacity.  With a passion for bridging research with practical solutions, she sees CUT as a pioneering African university, shaping the future through technological advancements and fostering a humane and democratic technological future that we can all look forward to.

One of the most crucial discussions at the summit was the role of data in securing human rights and dignity. This topic, of utmost importance in our increasingly digital world, was thoroughly explored by the thought leaders. They agreed that data creation and capturing have far-reaching implications for the future of democracy. During a year of critical elections around the globe, the summit delved into how humanity is currently dealing with data and the underlying ideologies and frameworks that guide human understanding of data, specifically discussing questions of ethics, justice, and human dignity in a technological world. 

The university delegation, under the leadership of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Research Prof Alfred Ngowi, played a pivotal role in the Tech for Humanity Summit. His expertise and insights were instrumental in enriching the discussions and furthering the university's vision for a humane and democratic technological future.