INNOVATION CHALLENGE 2020

The Idea Generator (i-Gym) is excited to invite all CUT staff to take part in the 2020 Innovation Challenge

i-GYM cordially invites you to submit your creative, innovative or business ideas for the 2020 Innovation Challenge.

Eligibility: Open to all CUT staff members.

Benefits: Prizes up to the value of R25 000* to develop your idea or project will be awarded for these two categories:

1. Best Idea / Project with highest Commercial Potential

2. Best Idea / Project with highest Social Impact

You may submit more than one idea for consideration to be shortlisted.

 Benefits to all participants: To be considered for placement in the 2021 i-GYM Entrepreneurship Development Program.

Registration Opens: 20 August 2020 

Registration Closes & final day for submission of presentations: 16 November 2020

Click the link for the entry form: Staff IC 2020 Entry form

i-Gym Innovation Challenge - Live Finals:  9 October 2020

Time: 10:00am - 13:00pm

Keynote speaker: Prof. Willie du Preez

Biography of Prof Willie du Preez

Prof. Du Preez started his career as a researcher in Materials Engineering at the Uranium Enrichment Corporation of South Africa (UCOR) in 1980. In 1988, he joined High Technology Products (Pty) Ltd, a spin-out company of UCOR, leading the design and development of satellite pressure vessels and hip replacement implants in Ti6Al4V.

He joined CSIR in 1993 where he led teams focussing on the development of products for applications in the medical, automotive and aerospace industries, as manager of the National Product Development Centre and, subsequently, the Light Metals competence area of CSIR Materials Science and Manufacturing. Willie served as the Director of the national Titanium Centre of Competence until March 2014.

Since March 2014 he has served at the Central University of Technology, Free State, in the roles of Associate Professor and Director: Research of the Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM). The CRPM’s research theme is additive manufacturing, with his own research focus being metal additive manufacturing and design for additive manufacturing.

Willie obtained his PhD (Solid State Physics) from the University of Stellenbosch in 1980 and has been a registered Professional Materials Scientist since 1983.

He has published 28 peer reviewed articles in scientific and technical journals and 110 papers and presentations at conferences and seminars. Willie has made 33 presentations as invited and keynote speaker at local and international seminars, workshops and conferences. He has supervised 27 students in their masters and doctoral studies. Researchers working under his leadership have produced 7 patents and 21 products, prototypes and technology demonstrators. Eight technology packages (commercialisable data packs) were generated by researchers under his leadership in the CSIR.

Join Zoom Meeting for the live finals:

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Meeting ID: 998 3061 8597

Passcode: 295238

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INNOVATION CHALLENGE 2020

The Idea Generator (i-Gym) is excited to invite all CUT students to take part in the 2020 Innovation Challenge

Our lives have changed rapidly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and never has innovation and compassion been more important. The COVID-19 pandemic brought far-reaching consequences and will have long-term effects on our education & health systems but also how we interact at work, our economy in general and how we socialize. Necessity is the mother of invention and we need innovative and entrepreneurial ideas to cope and adapt to this “New Normal”.

i-GYM cordially invites you to submit your creative, or innovative idea that could contribute to the economic recovery or to solve the vast array of problems caused by the pandemic. Solutions can be local or global, small business or industrial, preventative or treatment actions, creative or data driven for problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility: Open to all registered CUT students.

Benefits: Prizes up to the value of R25 000* to develop your idea or project will be awarded for these two categories:

1. Best Idea / Project with highest Commercial Potential

2. Best Idea / Project with highest Social Impact

You may submit more than one idea for consideration to be shortlisted.

 Benefits to all participants: To be considered for placement in the 2021 i-GYM Entrepreneurship Development Program.

Key Dates:

Registration Opens: 20 August 2020 

Registration Closes & final day for submission of presentations: Closed 

Ideation and Idea Development Workshop: 23 September 2020 from 10:00am - 12:00pm

Pitch Preparation Workshop: 29 September 2020 

Testing of shortlisted presentations for pitching challenges: 5 October 2020

Innovation Challenge Pitching - Students: 6 October 2020

Do not hesitate to contact us regarding any questions at lklassen@cut.ac.za or ideagenerator@cut.ac.za

Addressing the COVID-19 pandemic

If you or your team’s solution is focussed on the COVID-19 pandemic and you think your innovative idea can make a difference, submit your idea related but not limited to the set of problem statements listed below.

You or your team can develop solutions across other areas not listed below that could create an impact and curb the spread and future outbreaks, so feel free to think outside the box.

1. Containment of the virus: Measures and efforts to mitigate the transmission of the virus.
2. Patient care and management: Healthcare system, also to keep track of affected and potential patients/remote treatment of isolated patients.
3. Vulnerable Populations: The set of problems relevant to the elderly and the immuno-compromised.
4. Fake news detection
5. Personal Hygiene and Protection
6. Movement tracking to diagnose contagion and track movements of people in quarantine areas/ lockdown regions/isolated patients
7. Remote learning methods to address the widespread disruption of the educational systems due to the pandemic.
8. Effective communication to ensure that verified and accurate information reaches even the most remote locations with least human intervention.
9. Supply Chains: Solutions that aid efficient distribution of essential commodities.
10. Large scale sterilization and sanitization
11. Solutions for lessening the mental impact of social isolation
12. Support to frontline healthcare workers
13. Medical equipment: Diagnostic as well as therapeutic. There is an urgent need to develop safe and effective countermeasures that can be readily available, accessible and suitable for use in populations most in need.

i-Gym Innovation Challenge 2020

The Idea Generator (i-Gym) invites all Grade 4 - 12 learners to take part in the 2020 Innovation Challenge

Young scientists are invited to submit creative or innovative ideas to aid the recovery of the country's economy, or to solve the many problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Who can enter?  The challenge is open to South African school learners in grade 4 to 12 attending any school in South Africa, including home schools.

Prizes: Win one of two vouchers per category, worth R5000*, to develop your idea or project.

Categories: Best Idea/Project with the highest Commercial Potential & Best Idea/Project with the highest Social Impact.

Important dates:

Registration opens: 20 August 2020

Ideation Sessions: 18 & 21 September 2020

Registration Closes & final day for submission of presentations: Closed

Innovation Challenge Pitching - Learners: 6 or 7 October 2020

i-Gym Innovation Challenge - Live Finals: 9 October 2020

Do not hesitate to contact us regarding any questions at lklassen@cut.ac.za or ideagenerator@cut.ac.za