A Defining Moment, from Policy to Impact: University Leaders Convene to Drive Entrepreneurial Transformation in Higher Education

In May 2026, the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme will bring together senior university leadership, government stakeholders, and industry partners in Cape Town for the highly anticipated Entrepreneurial Executive Leadership Workshop (EELW) 2026.

Anchored on the theme “From Policy to Impact: Driving Implementation and Measurable Outcomes in Entrepreneurial Universities,” the workshop marks a significant evolution in the national conversation on entrepreneurship in higher education, shifting the focus from frameworks and intent towards execution, scalability, and measurable impact.

Implemented by Universities South Africa in partnership with Absa South Africa, the EDHE programme continues to play a catalytic role in positioning South Africa’s universities as drivers of innovation, enterprise development, and socio-economic transformation.

The EELW 2026 is designed as a focused, high-level engagement for Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Deans, and senior institutional leaders responsible for embedding entrepreneurship across teaching, learning, research, and institutional strategy.

The workshop will provide a platform for strategic dialogue, peer learning, and practical engagement on how universities can translate entrepreneurial strategies into actionable, institution-wide implementation.

The programme features an impressive lineup of keynote speakers and sector leaders, including:

• Prof Pamela Zibuyile Dube, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Central University of Technology, who will deliver the opening keynote on universities as drivers of innovation, employability, and economic transformation.
• Dr Phuti Mahanyele-Dabengwa, Group Executive Director at Naspers and Prosus, bringing a private sector perspective on what industry expects from universities in terms of innovation, talent, and scale.
• Dr Tony Omwansa, CEO of the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), who will offer continental insights into national innovation systems and the evolving role of universities.
• Ms Elizabeth Migwalla, Vice President of International Government Affairs at Qualcomm International Inc., contributing a global industry perspective on commercialisation and partnerships.

In addition, leadership voices from across South Africa’s higher education sector will contribute to panel discussions and thematic engagements, including Deputy Vice-Chancellors and senior executives responsible for research, innovation, and institutional transformation.

The EELW 2026 programme is structured around key thematic areas addressing current gaps in implementation, scalability, and measurable impact across the higher education sector. Discussions will focus on how universities can move from strategy to implementation by translating entrepreneurship policies and frameworks into actionable institutional plans, while also embedding entrepreneurship across teaching, learning, research, and co-curricular activities.

The programme will further explore the development of scalable entrepreneurial ecosystems through stronger collaboration between universities, industry, and communities, alongside advancing approaches to measuring impact and driving accountability through meaningful indicators that move beyond participation metrics. In addition, the workshop will place significant emphasis on research commercialisation and industry linkages, with conversations centred on strengthening innovation outputs, intellectual property development, and strategic partnerships that contribute to economic and societal impact.

Panel discussions will unpack key challenges, including institutional barriers to implementation, while showcasing practical approaches and lessons from across the sector.

The workshop is proudly supported by Absa, whose continued investment in the EDHE programme reflects a shared commitment to advancing entrepreneurship, strengthening institutional capability, and enabling inclusive economic growth.

Through this partnership, the EELW continues to serve as a strategic platform for aligning higher education with national development priorities and industry needs.

As the higher education sector continues to evolve, the EELW 2026 represents a key inflection point, one that moves beyond dialogue towards implementation and measurable outcomes.

By convening leadership at the highest level, encouraging collaboration, and prioritising execution, the workshop aims to accelerate the development of entrepreneurial universities that are equipped to drive innovation, create sustainable enterprises, and contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s socio-economic future.

To learn more about this convening of leaders, please visit the EDHE website here

Ms. Khutso Moleko, EDHE: Media and Marketing Officer