The University of KwaZulu-Natal recognises the importance of consultancy work in order to advance the knowledge economy and have a positive impact on social and economic development in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, SADC and the entire African continent. It also recognises the fact that consultancy is indeed a very important aspect of an academic endeavour that can be used to foster long term relationships between industry, government, the public sector and academia which are crucial in promoting innovation and information flow.
University Consultancy is a service where expertise is provided, for a fee or in-kind benefit, to provide advice in relation to problem solving. It is generally of a short duration and can be provided to clients from public, private, charitable or voluntary sectors by individuals or groups of staff of the University. There are of course instances where it can involve staff members of other institutions. It is professional services other than research, based on the client’s articulated need, using UKZN space, equipment, services, facilities or staff time. Consultancy differs from Research in that it involves the application of existing knowledge and/or techniques and there is usually no academic output such as publications in academic journal.
All UKZN Consultancy should be done through UKZN InQubate. UKZN InQubate promotes consultancy through sourcing tenders, and facilitating contract research with industry. Please contact us to find out how we can assist if you are an academic that wishes to engage in consultancy work, or are in industry and would like to make use of UKZN’s expertise and facilities through contract research.
