Deputy Minister Gina to address 2nd BRICS Innovation Challenge
Members of the media are invited to the 2nd BRICS Innovation Challenge to be held at the University of Johannesburg’s Auckland Park Campus on Tuesday, 2 September.
The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, will deliver a keynote address at the event. This will be followed by the top five youth-led start-ups pitching their innovative ideas.
The event is hosted by the Pan-African Institute for Thought and Conversation and the College of Business and Economics at UJ, under the theme “Strengthening Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship in BRICS+ through Student Innovation”.
The BRICS Innovation Challenge is a flagship platform of the UJ BRICS Summer School. Now in its second year, the competition provides a platform for students to showcase innovative solutions that align with entrepreneurship and digital innovation, in line with the BRICS+ development agenda.
These start-ups, each with a unique and innovative approach, are set to impress. For instance, Inkulumo Connect, an artificial intelligence-powered real-time translation platform for South African Sign Language, aims to bridge the communication gap for over 230,000 SASL users in the country. ProcureTech Innovations is revolutionising the rural healthcare supply chain through the use of AI and blockchain.
The event is expected to significantly elevate UJ’s global visibility as a hub for youth innovation and commercialisation. This will further reinforce its commitment to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, BRICS cooperation, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Event details:
Date: Tuesday, 2 September 2025
Time: 08:30 – 13:00
Venue: Johannesburg Business School, Auckland Park Campus
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
For more information, please contact Veronica Mohapeloa at 083 400 5750.
