Innovation News
New experts in innovation support and development at WIC
Tebogo Machethe and Thandeka Mhlanga recently joined the Wits Innovation Centre.
Wits receives US$1.8 million from Bezos Earth Fund
The award supports innovative use of artificial intelligence to protect biodiversity and advance climate solutions worldwide.
AIrSynQ – a breath of fresh air at the beach
Guests at Blaauwberg Beach Hotel in Cape Town experience how Wits research powers a new AI air quality system.
You want to save the planet? Change the way you think
Lifestyle changes will be of more benefit in the fight against climate change than industrialised solutions such as electric vehicles.
How cashew nut shells could help Africa make vaccines
Waste to wonder: Chemists and scientists are engineering a next-generation vaccine from a surprising and humble source.
Where we MIND humans as much as code
In a world dictated by data, scale and speed, the Wits MIND Institute prioritises the human being.
How Africa’s quantum tech could rewrite the future
This year is the International Year of Quantum, and Wits researchers are making extraordinary contributions to the field.
The African Data Drive
New interactive tool to bridge Africa's critical data gap for sustainable development.
New cross-continental AI partnership
Wits, UCT, partner with the CISPA Helmholtz-Center for Information Security to drive research into cybersecurity and trustworthy AI.
Disruption as a catalyst for reinvention
[Editorial] For a leading African university like Wits, disruption has become not just an inevitability, but a force for reinvention.
Curios.ty 19: #Disruption
The crises, tech, research and people shaping up our world (Spoiler: Quantum is here).
Wits breaks ground on Africa’s first fully integrated BioHub
The Wits Interdisciplinary and Translational Science (WITS) BioHub is one of the most ambitious projects in the University’s 100-year history.
Afretec Network awards $2.3M in multi-institutional research grants
The Carnegie Mellon University Africa-led network has awarded almost $7.43M in research funding since it was established in 2022.
Fak’ugesi 2025 promises epic Power Surge
Africa’s digital creativity is poised to generate its own momentum as the annual Festival takes place from 7 to 10 October 2025.
Apply now for the exciting AI & African Music pilot project
The project aims to support ground-breaking music ideas that harness AI and champion African creativity, and build new futures for AI in music.
SA must refine its own AI future and secure algorithmic sovereignty
The country stands at a crossroads. It is essential that we and other African countries build the capacity to refine our own data.
Google.org backs the Wits MIND Institute with US$1M boost
The Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute has been awarded core funding of US$1 million by Google.org.
Painless microneedle patches could transform HIV treatment for children
What if treatment could be as simple as putting on a plaster, twice a week?
Next-generation ‘molecular scissors’ may offer hope for chronic hepatitis B sufferers
The genetic blueprint of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) could be permanently inactivated with newly engineered TALENs.
From research to market
Wits transfers lipid formulation tech, made to enhance drug delivery and efficacy, to Afrigen Biologics.
AI: ‘Laziness and stupidity’, our biggest risk
In remembering South Africa’s Grand Geek lies a legacy that shows us how we should think about and engage with artificial intelligence.
Breakthrough quantum research will have revolutionary impact
"We will be able to quickly solve very hard problems in fields such as chemistry, pharmacology, logistics, finance and many more," says Professor Andrew Forbes.
Wits philosopher elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Lucy Allais, Professor of Philosophy at Wits and at Johns Hopkins University, is the first female South African philosopher to join the Academy.
Smart cities start with people, not technology
Lessons from Westbury, Johannesburg, show that technology must be controlled by the community and enhance people’s daily lives.
Rhisotope Project goes live
Scientific innovation offers new weapon against rhino poaching, by making rhino horns detectable and traceable.
Entrepreneurship workshop brings innovative ideas to life
The Wits Innovation Centre recently held its annual Entrepreneurship / Prospector @Wits workshop.
€10,000 Irish Tech Challenge SA applications close on Monday
Tech startups in South Africa are reminded that the window to enter the Irish Tech Challenge 2025 (ITCSA) is about to close on 4 August 2025.
MIND Director named coveted CIFAR Fellow
Professor Benjamin Rosman has been appointed a Fellow of the prestigious CIFAR Learning in Machines & Brains programme.
Witsie recognised as one of Africa’s change leaders
Propelled by ambition and motivated by success, Dr Bradley Max Segal is one of five Africans featuring in FORBES AFRICA's 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 cover story.
Digital Humanities takes centre stage in futures research
Wits and the University of Edinburgh join forces with a new research Chair in Digital Humanities to shape more inclusive, just, and equitable digital futures.
Shanghai delegation at Wits to explore innovation and collaboration
The high-profile delegation from the Shanghai State-owned Capital Investment (SSCI) visited to identify potential key strategic partnerships.
When is it acceptable to use AI in academic publishing?
This field is evolving rapidly and the education sector, for one, is abuzz with discussion on AI use for writing.
Bots with brains: Wits robotics goes underground
Wits’ RAIL Lab trains intelligent machines to navigate caves, pour milk, and plan like humans, pushing the frontiers of autonomous AI research.
The art of sound in architecture
Artist-in-residence Fellow brings sound innovation to School of Architecture and Planning
Another round of UTF grants provides innovation opportunities for Wits
Wits University is set to benefit from the second instalment of the University Technology Fund (UTF), meaning more innovation is on its way.
Plug in. Power up. The future is African-made
There’s a certain kind of energy that builds before something truly powerful happens. This year’s Fak’ugesi Festival is taking shape.
Prestigious NRF P-rating for Dr Mitchell Cox
Cox earned the rating for his work in research and developing cutting-edge structured light and low-cost laser internet.
Wits named recipient of prestigious grant for AI climate research
The Bezos Earth Fund’s AI Grand Challenge for Climate and Nature has awarded the grant to the Wits Climate Risk Modelling project.
Light is the science of the future
Scientists on the African continent have made notable contributions to photonics research.
US HIV funding cuts – what’s being lost
The US cuts in research funding are devastating to the fight against HIV/Aids. It’s going to be very hard to recover.
WBS hosts first Natural Gas Symposium
Stakeholders from the oil and gas industry attend this much-anticipated conversation on the status of natural gas supply in South at the Wits Business School.
How to tell if a photo’s fake? You probably can’t
The solution demands two simple and clear actions: declare that photo manipulation has taken place and disclose what manipulation was carried out.
Understanding intellectual property can supercharge innovation
Producing knowledge is a daily pursuit at universities — knowing how best to protect and draw value from it is crucial.
Tech can drive blood donations
South Africa must shift from finding new blood donors to building relationships with existing ones. Technology can help.
World renowned Wits Sterkfontein Caves reopen
Wits University announces the reopening of one of humanity’s most important palaeontological sites to the public.
Breaking Barriers: Meet the Witsies hacking their futures
The Hack Your Future podcast celebrates the trailblazing Wits alumni and researchers who are transforming industries and challenging the status quo.
Wits Innovation Centre leadership changes announced
Announcement by Professor Lynn Morris, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation on the way forward for the WIC.
Writing the AI-wrongs in journalism
The rise of AI in journalism signals the time for guidelines around disclosure, transparency and accountability.
CBIE delegation visits Wits to strengthen partnerships
The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) delegation and Wits stakeholders explored research, innovation, and academic opportunities.
足球竞彩app排名 side-hustles
From selling handbags to offering haircuts, there are Witsies out there turning campus corners into mini marketplaces.
Using your own tech for work? Why it’s a security hazard
Letting employees use their own devices such as laptops and phones for work has many benefits – and many risks, too.
Curios.ty 18: #Work
Work isn't static. It changes as we change. In this issue, we turn to our researchers as we grapple with the evolving nature of work and an unknown future.
Let’s talk about #Work
[Editorial] AI, Africa, equity, skills, burnout, toxic workplaces, semigration, sex work, and retirement, all in this issue of Curios.ty.
The chalk-dust revolution
What impact does the changing world of work have on how higher education is delivered to students?
What we did in 2024
Our research impacted humans, animals and machines, while our students’ side hustles drove innovation, and our scholars deepened our knowledge.
Looking back at 2024 with the Wits Innovation Centre
It was a year of establishment and growth for the Wits Innovation Centre (WIC) as it broke new ground to coordinate and encourage innovation across Wits.
Lightning sparks art: New Fellow joins Wits Lightning Lab
WIC’s new Artist-in-Lab Fellow aims to create evocative art exploring the mysterious, inexplicable, and magical essence of lightning.
Boost for air quality monitoring in Gauteng
South African Atmospheric Quality Monitoring (SACAQM) and Evotel join forces to monitor the province’s air quality.
Wits joins Upanzi Network - an African research labs collab
Carnegie Mellon University Africa announced today that it will expand its digital public infrastructure initiative across the continent.
Nobel laureate warns of big tech and disinformation threats to democracy
Nobel laureate Maria Ressa believes South Africa’s traditional media is strong, but that won’t last, posing an ongoing threat to democracy.
Toolbox for academia and industry engagement
The Wits Innovation Centre (WIC) partnered with Afretec to workshop practical steps of collaboration.
Unlocking intelligence: The Wits MIND Institute to transform AI research in Africa
The Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute advances AI research, exploring machine, human, and animal intelligence.
New Digital Dome launches in Joburg
After major refurbishments, the old Johannesburg Planetarium has been transformed into the state-of-the-art Wits Anglo American Digital Dome.
Seeing stars in a whole new light
After 64 years, the Johannesburg Planetarium has been upgraded featuring new cutting-edge digital projectors that will enhance its role in science education.
Workshop explores sustainable design in the age of AI
The workshop gave scholars insights that empowered them to create AI-powered solutions for Africa’s most pressing challenges.
Young engineers shine with innovative tech
EIE Open Day 2024: Can a robot do medical triage? Can a face detector spot you when you’re wearing a mask? Can geysers be smart?
Training the Next-Gen animators
Four young South African 2D animators train with the world’s best to become teachers for a new generation.
Wits teams clinch coveted SATNAC Challenge awards
Swelihle Sibiya and Andile Mgomezulu won the R&D Challenge and the Huawei Challenge respectively, at the 2024 SATNAC Industry Solutions Challenge.
Until…until…until…#UntilUnlocked
Fak’ugesi Festival unleashes the potential that lies within communities when technology, art, and culture intersect in Africa.
Fak’ugesi Festival 2024 countdown
Africa’s biggest creative digital innovation festival is from 3 – 5 October 2024 at Wits’ Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.
Pioneering disability inclusion: Wits DRU and Afretec lead the way
Two-day workshop redefines inclusive education and how to leverage new technologies to empower students and staff with disabilities.
Water data hub for Gauteng
The water dashboard will help residents to keep track of shortages and repair issues and help to understand just how bad things are.
LINK and ITU partner to boost digital skills in Africa
The parties aim to fast-track digital skills development for policymakers and ICT professionals.
WIC leadership role changes announced
These reflect the Wits Innovation Centre's agility and responsiveness in continuing to grow the University’s innovation ecosystem.
Affordable new AI device to monitor air pollution hotspots in real-time
A team of particle physicists have rolled out the first inexpensive South African air quality monitoring system using AI to predict areas of high pollution.
The Wits Innovation Foundation for Democracy opens its doors for business
The Foundation looks to reshape discussions about democracy in Africa.
From knowledge to impact: Bridging the academic-entrepreneurship divide
Aspiring African innovators and entrepreneurs converge at Wits to learn skills to transform ideas into market-ready solutions.
Postgrads learn how to become ‘academic entrepreneurs’
To grow their entrepreneurial spirit and skills, 70 postgraduate students attended the Pan-African Entrepreneurship Week during the winter break.
Peco Power empowers rural community with Rent-to-Own Electricity
The pioneering technology from Wits is transforming energy access with its new impact-driven Champion Franchise Model.
The psychological games cybercriminals play
Catching online scammers: Our model combines data and behavioural science.
Mobile phone data help track pathogen spread and evolution of superbugs
Novel way to map spread and evolution of pathogens, and their responses to vaccines and antibiotics, reveals how to help predict and prevent future outbreaks.
‘It’s all about the youth’
Dr Solomon Assefa, the former Vice President at IBM Research, delivered the inaugural Professor Barry Dwolatzky Memorial Lecture.
Afretec awards almost $1.7 million
One of the grant recipient projects from Wits University will investigate the role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Wits-Bath Spa collaboration takes off
Three-year bursary scheme to support strategic collaboration between the two universities.
New cutting-edge digitisation equipment for Wits Digitisation Centre
This addition marks a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to preserve the University's vast archives and collections.
New 足球竞彩app排名 Entrepreneurship Hub launched
The E-Hub marks the beginning of a new era in fostering student-led innovation and entrepreneurship.
Wits and Liberty launch new Fintech Hub
New Hub will be a place where researchers, entrepreneurs and professionals can get together to leverage technology to solve problems in the field of finance.
Wits celebrates Intellectual Property Day
By awarding Wits researchers for their contribution to IP rights, the event highlights the integration of innovation and creativity for a shared future.
Wits welcomes 12 000 future researchers
The University held its annual Postgraduate Orientation Programme from 4 – 6 March in the Great Hall and online.
Light correcting light
Researchers have found a way to send patterned light messages through obstructions, without distorting the message.
Launch of Irish Tech Challenge SA 2024 ignites innovation
The Tech Challenge seeks to foster partnerships between South African and Irish startups.
Advancing gender and leadership in higher education
A group of ten Wits University staff and students recently attended the Afretec Gender in STEM Workshop in Kigali, Rwanda.
Committed to enabling access to education
The University received several queries pertaining to fees, funding, financial aid, and accommodation. Here are the many ways Wits assists students.
How academics can counter ‘AI thinks, therefore I am’
2023 will be remembered as the year that artificial intelligence (AI) – or, more specifically, large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT – changed the world.
South African technology winners visit Dublin
Pelebox founder, Neo Hutiri, is one of the five winners of the Irish Tech Challenge - a prestigious competition seeking to unearth high-impact SA start-ups.
Royal Academy of Engineering awards Witsie special medal
Neo Hutiri recognised as top achiever among Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation winners.
3D scanning: We recreated a sacred South African site
One criticism of current 3D models of archaeological sites is that they are presented devoid of human traces and history. We captured the spirit with our model.
UK Fellowships for Wits humanities researchers
The African Fellowships programme advances South-North research collaboration to find solutions to global challenges.
Mission impossible? Not for these postdocs
8 Postdoc Fellows join Wits to boost research on the intersecting themes of climate change, just transition, sustainability, and inequality.
Witsies shine at intervarsity entrepreneurship finals
Tech entrepreneur wins for financial inclusion platform and medical student recognised for enabling tech efficiency and savings in spaza shops.
Phishing scams: Don't drop your guard
Cybercriminals don’t take breaks. Even seasoned internet users fall prey to these scams. Here are seven safety tips from a cybersecurity expert.
New Optica Emerging Leader in Optics Chair
SA visionary and quantum expert, Dr Isaac Nape, has been appointed as the inaugural Chair that seeks to advance quantum research.
Research ethics and integrity as a force for good
While polarisation has emerged as a defining characteristic of our age, ‘good’ ethics can navigate differences to tackle shared challenges.
'Teleporting' images across a network securely using only light
Researchers show for the first time, how we can transport images across a network without physically sending the image.
Upgraded Micro-CT Scanner to advance research
Advanced 3D imaging technology allows for fossil-bearing rocks to be examined non-invasively and saves time and resources.
Partnership unlocks cloud computing opportunities
BCX, Alibaba Cloud and Wits University have partnered to empower students to foster skills for the digital economy in Africa.
Wits secures Digital Transformation research grants
Wits University scholars have secured funding as a network partner of the African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec).
Science is the unifying force to bring Africa together
Breaking barriers to intracontinental mobility is paramount and the continent must engage in closer collaboration, placing science at the forefront.
First FEBE Research Seminar breaks down barriers
The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment hosted its inaugural Research Seminar on 25 and 26 October 2023.
2023 Afretec Conference celebrates collaboration
Higher education leaders from across the continent recently convened for the second Pan-African network's annual conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
WMI summit explores the changing mining landscape
The Summit is another step forward in developing mining tech and skills to drive a low-carbon future and just energy transition.
Fak’ugesi 2023 Awards celebrate digital creativity
Honouring 10 Pan-African innovators for outstanding creative achievements as the Festival celebrates a decade of African creativity.
What to see and what to do at the 2023 Fak'ugesi Festival
A virtual feast of Africa’s best creative showcases, digital workshops, talks, music, and digital art exhibitions
Wits launches new PGDip in Science in the field of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Graduates and third year students encouraged to apply now for the new PG Diploma to drive business ownership and job creation.
How do we use Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education for Good?
Wits workshop on Learning and Teaching debates responsibility, equity, and access of generative AI in Higher Education.
Signing, to save a life
The Wits-Afretec Tech-Entrepreneurship Workshop held marks a pioneering stride for young, aspiring entrepreneurs.
Wits scientists opens up the world of pharmaceutical research at National Science Week
Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform use the national science fair to interact with future generation of scientists, healthcare professionals, and innovators.
Immersive experiences with Wits NeuRL
NeuRL’s Immersive Virtual Reality Lab uses innovative body owner illusions to understand cross-cultural bias.
Wits-UoE research partnership ‘heads to Space’
Researchers from Wits and the University of Edinburgh held a symposium to explore collaborative opportunities for Space Research projects.
Supporting youth to become job creators
The next generation is essential to Africa's future and to global shared interests in creating a safer, healthier, and more prosperous world.
Smarter human oversight is crucial in facial recognition AI
Enhanced human verification techniques and practices will always be required to ensure accuracy and ward off inherent biases.
Researchers demonstrate noise-free communication with structured light
A new approach to optical communication that can be deployed with conventional technology.
Remembering SA's “Grand Geek” and programming pioneer
Many speak fondly of how Professor Barry Dwolatzky took them into a derelict disco and enthusiastically explained the tech co-working space he envisioned there.
Curios.ty 15 (#Energy): Igniting innovation
Wits' research magazine focuses on how our researchers are powering up their creativity and expertise to find sustainable energy solutions.
Energising and futureproofing our world
Editorial: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but for South Africans it feels like we are upending this fundamental law of physics.
Can Wits go off the grid?
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions to almost zero is the next big thing on the global agenda, but academics agree it’s not feasible in the medium term on campus.
Overcoming energy poverty
Researchers are developing innovative solutions to counter the energy poverty that impacts teaching and learning.
Wits mourns the passing of Prof. Barry - SA's 'Grand Geek'
South Africa has lost an innovator, a strategist, a humanitarian, and a much-loved Professor who dedicated over 50 years of his life to Wits.
Wits breaks ground on R250 million sports complex
The Wits Brian and Dorothy Zylstra Sports Complex is an integrated facility for training, research, and clinical practice.
Wits Innovation Centre signals a new era in #InnovationForGood
The WIC will harness the creativity and ingenuity of the University’s rich, diverse community of innovators to solve complex, real-world problems.
Fine advice on failing, luck and limiting expertise
Wits University awarded Dr David Fine an honorary degree at the Faculty of Science graduation ceremony on 17 April 2023.
Be(IE) innovators of the future
The first Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Course sparks a new era for #WitsInnovation.
Sun-powered microgrid study launched in Pretoria
The Pecogrid pilot study will examine the viability of the large-scale rollout of microgrid inverter systems in informal communities.
Two leading Wits scientists appointed to National Advisory Council on Innovation
Professor Lynn Morris and Professor Bavesh Kana will advise government on how to harness and grow innovation.
Wits and Telkom launch new industry solutions lab
Telkom and Wits sign a partnership agreement to establish the new Telkom Industry Solutions Lab.
Wits Innovation Centre announces team
Dr Adam Pantanowitz has been appointed as Chair in Innovation and Director of the WIC, and Letlotlo Phohole as Senior Programme Manager.
New high-tech Digital Dome catapults Johannesburg Planetarium into the future
Wits University and Anglo American to transform the Johannesburg Planetarium into a world-class digital research, training, and science engagement facility.
Global recognition for research and innovation in pharmaceutical sciences
Wits Professor of Pharmacy, Yahya Choonara, is the 2022 FIP Distinguished Pharmaceutical Science Award winner.
Wits to kick-start a national quantum technologies initiative with R54 million funding
The South African Quantum Technologies Initiative (SA QuTI) aims develop a well-established critical mass in the national quantum community.
CTIF & Jamfest 2022: Unplugged - but still connected
Joint hybrid conferences for African civic tech innovators and media makers, journalism innovators, and other creatives.
Boost to pursue his high-risk, high-reward ideas
Professor Benjamin Rosman is one of 18 early-career researchers in the world to be named CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars for 2022-2024.
African sci-tech could drive future black hole discoveries
Astronomers have revealed the first image of the black hole at the centre of our galaxy, the Milky Way.
R50 million donation to advance innovation in South Africa
Alumnus Dr David Fine's generous donation will be used to establish the Angela and David Fine Chair in Innovation.