Globally Competitive and Locally Relevant: The Third Mission in South Africa and a Review of the Technology Stations Programme at Tshwane University of Technology

Universities are expected to produce graduates that are globally competitive while remaining locally relevant. The third mission in South Africa is an important instrument through which the Tshwane University of Technology attempts to remain locally relevant. In particular, the technology stations programme is aimed at strengthening and expanding the mutually beneficial links between universities of technology and small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The objective in this paper is to review the technology stations programme at the Tshwane University of Technology. The analysis disclosed the contribution of the technology stations to the SMME economy of the electronics and chemicals sub-sectors.