Vhonani O Netshandama
- Affiliation
- Department of Community Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Innovation and Commercialization, University of Venda
- Department
- Professor
- Location
- South Africa
Vhonani O Netshandama
1 article
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Mapping A Contextualized Southern Africa's Innovation Ecosystem: The Emerging Role of Higher Education in Promoting Inclusive Innovation and Rural Industrialization
Abstract: Higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly recognized as strategic actors in shaping innovation ecosystems that can respond to persistent socio-economic inequalities in the Global South. In Southern Africa, where rural underdevelopment, youth unemployment, weak industrial bases, and uneven innovation capacities remain pressing concerns, universities are under growing pressure to move beyond their traditional teaching and research mandates and contribute more directly to inclusive development. This paper examines the emerging role …
Published in International Journal of Rural and Regional Development · Vol. 4, Issue 1, 2026 · pp. 14–27 Read article