As a university of technology, all research programmes are directed at solving problems in business, industry, and government (this is known as the triple-helix approach), and are aimed at contributing to the socio-economic development of the region.
The focus of research programmes is multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary of nature, with emphasis on sustainable development, answering especially questions such as:
- what kind of research is done?
- what are the objectives?
- and what impact will the research have?

The Research Cycle
At CUT research, research development, technology transfer, innovation and commercialisation activities are understood to be complementary. These activities form part of what is commonly known as the research cycle.
The research cycle can be described as the process of taking the research problem through various academic stages, such as:
- knowledge generation (postgraduate research),
- knowledge transmission (publications, presentations, and intellectual property),
- knowledge application
- spin-in to business and industry, and first step towards third-stream income,
- spin-out and sustained third-stream income, and
- socio-economic development.
Innovation brings Solution
Where research is normally understood to have a research question/problem for which a solution must be sought, innovation can be explained as having the solution to the problem which must now be converted into a possible product/prototype that can be commercialised.
The research cycle thus reflects the integration of research, research development, technology transfer, innovation and commercialisation.
Important Documents
- Manual for Research Development and Postgraduate Studies Support 2016
- Research and Development Plan 2014 to 2020
- Research and Development Manual 2014
Research Ethics and Integrity
Newsletters
Archive
- September/October 2015
- June/July 2015
- April 2015
- February/March 2015
- August 2014
- June/July 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- January/February 2014
Annual Reports
- Research and Innovation Annual Report 2019
- Research and Innovation Annual Report 2018
- Research and Innovation Annual Report 2016
- Research and Innovation Annual Report 2015
- Research and Innovation Annual Report 2014
- Research and Innovation Annual Report 2012
Workbook Series
- The Research Process, 28 February 2014
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Interim Interdisciplinary Journal
Journal for New Generation Sciences (JNGS)
CUT Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
Research Centres, Units and Groups

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