Unisa to host roundtable focusing on women-led innovation ecosystems

Unisa subsidiary Inhlanyelo Hub NPC, in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States of America in Pretoria (Public Diplomacy Section), will host a high-level roundtable discussion on 17 February featuring Jill Finlayson, CEO of CITRIS at the University of California, Berkeley, and delegate of the TechWomen Conference currently taking place in South Africa, and Aisuluu Kozhomkulova, Regional Director for Central Asia at StrategEast, and Social Innovations Consultant, UN Women.

Click here to view the programme.

The roundtable will convene leaders from South Africa’s innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship ecosystem to exchange insights, explore strategic collaborations, and share practical approaches to strengthening inclusive, women-led innovation ecosystems.

Speakers include (from left) Jill Finlayson, CEO of CITRIS at the University of California, Berkeley, and delegate of the TechWomen Conference currently taking place in South Africa, and Aisuluu Kozhomkulova, Regional Director for Central Asia at StrategEast, and Social Innovations Consultant, UN Women

The engagement will focus on accelerating women’s participation in technology and innovation, positioning local programmes for global philanthropic funding, strengthening strategic partnerships with CITRIS, and exploring opportunities to localise and scale elements of the TechWomen model within the South African context.

“This engagement reflects our commitment to building globally connected, inclusive innovation ecosystems that empower women to lead in science, technology, and enterprise,” says Professor Raphael Mpofu, CEO of Inhlanyelo Hub NPC. “Through strategic international partnerships, we aim to unlock opportunities that translate into sustainable impact for women entrepreneurs and innovators across South Africa.”

The dialogue is expected to generate actionable pathways for collaboration, research-to-market initiatives, mentorship networks, and scalable innovation cohorts designed to broaden participation and impact.

Event details

Date:        Tuesday, 17 February 2026

Time:       12:45 – 15:00

Venue:     Inhlanyelo Hub, Building 5,  Unisa Sunnyside Campus,
Corner Steve Biko & Justice Mohamed Street, Pretoria

* Compiled by the Department of Institutional Advancement