Mr Frank Melis, Chairman of SMRT.bio; Mr Bart Takkenkamp, CEO of SMRT.bio; CUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Pamela Dube and CUT Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Prof. Wendy Setlalentoa at the signing ceremony.

The Central University of Technology in partnership with SMRT.bio, has launched the Talent Implementation Model Entrepreneurs (TIME) Project, a one-year initiative to enhance skills development, job creation, and entrepreneurship in the Mangaung region. The project uses an AI-powered platform to drive socio-economic impact through efficient implementation.

Prof. Pamela Dube, CUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, highlighted the partnership as a key milestone. The project brings AI expertise to skills development and job matching, and Prof. Dube expressed excitement for the opportunities this collaboration presents for students and the future of education and technology.

“The TIME Project aims to transform lives at CUT and beyond, fostering entrepreneurship and contributing to regional economic growth. Students and alumni will benefit from structured mentorship with industry experts and access to international networks,” she added.

The project clearly provides aspiring entrepreneurs with a pathway to developing business models, receiving mentorship, and securing funding opportunities.

“This is the first project in South Africa, and we are very pleased with that. We know already that our demo project will be on the first of May, so that will be a start.  Next, we have an expansion in Europe, and it's nice to share with you that even the European Commission is looking after us. This cooperative approach that we found over the years and in the last months makes me very sure that we will have a successful project together,” said Mr Bart Takkenkamp, CEO of SMRT.bio.

Mr Frank Melis, Chairman of SMRT.bio emphasised the importance of inclusivity, inviting not only students but also the wider community to participate in this initiative, which aims to spark economic change nationwide.

The success of the Talent Implementation Model Entrepreneurs (TIME) Project depends on active collaboration between multiple stakeholders at CUT and within the broader community.

From left: Prof. David Ngidi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning; Prof. Pamela Dube, CUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Mr Bart Takkenkamp, SMRT.bio CEO; Mr Frank Melis, SMRT.bio Chairman; Prof. Wendy Setlalentoa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement and Dr Choice Makhetha, Executive Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the partnership agreement signing.