Summary: The introduction of an innovation component as a compulsory assignment in the classroom has led to over 100 novel designs annually since 2019, despite not being the primary intent. The primary intent was to plant the seed of innovation in students who will most likely not be absorbed into industry and will have to resort to alternative means of generating an income and provide skills training, problem solving instruction through a methodology of trial and error and supported by expert advice. Entrepreneurship is not considered by students unless they have been exposed to the business world prior to their studies. Therefore, there is a focused, dedicate unit like the idea-Gymnasion / Idea Generator Unit at Central University of Technology needed where ideas are 'Mind Gym-ed" with intentional actions and opportunisties to inform and expose to the possibilities of taking their innovations to market.
Finalist
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year Award
From "Why solving X?” to “This is why?!” Fostering Innovation through Compulsory Maths Assignments
Finalist Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year Award
Central University of Technology, Free State Department Mathematical & Physical Sciences & i-GYM (idea-GYM) /Idea Generator Unit - South Africa
"Taking innovation from the classroom to the real world"
Engage on social media
https://www.facebook.com/CUTFreeState/(Central University of Technology, Free State )
(Idea Generator Webpage )
(Product Development Technical Station (PDTS), Central University of Technology)
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Summary
Key People
Dr Michelle Erasmus
HOD Dept Mathematics and Physical Sciences and senior lecturer and innovation promoter
Dept Mathematics and Physical Sciences,
Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa
Dr Elizabeth (Izabeth) Conradie
Manager idea-GYM (Idea Generator)
idea-GYM/ (Idea Generator) Unit, Innovation and Technology Transfer Office, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa,
Research Innovation and Engagement (RIE) Division, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa
Me Simone du Preez
Disability Comm/Support Officer,
Disability Unit,
Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa
Mr Gustav Barnard
Fablab Officer
Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab), ITTO,
Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa
Mr Tebogo Likhi
Project Engineer
Product Development Technical Station (PDTS),
Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa
Mr Francois Kuys
Project Engineer
Product Development Technical Station ,
Centarl University of Technology, Free Stata, South Africa
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements: Support from the management of the Central University of Technology (CUT) who have a strong focus on entrepreneurship and its integration into the university's fabric contributing to socio-economic development. Without this strategic approach which lead to the establishment of the idea-GYM / Idea Generator in 2017, solving X in the real world by the mathematics students would not have realized. Falling under the Innovation and Technology Transfer Unit, the idea-Gym is instrumental in the journey to implementation with proffesional leadership and expertese. Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) staff provided skills training and the Product Development Technical Station technical advice. The Civil Enginering Laboratory also assisted in skills training. The CUT's Disability Unit providing sign language training and adjudication of student's presentations . The exposure to useful skills added to students' portfolios and had a significant impact on how students perceive someone living with a disability.
Images
2025: Of the 90 innovations submitted, eleven groups presented their rings with a different application and showcase their sign language skills to adjudicators on 16 May 2025
Sign language expert Ms S du Preex and students Relebohile Motsoeneng & Aobakwe Tshenye ready to adjudicate student's presentations in sign language
2025 Maths ideaGYM Challenge to innovate: 90 rings with a diffrence CAD designed by students and 3D printed.jpg
2024 Mathematics and ideaGYM Challenge Finals - reinvent the coffee cup!
2023 Math ideaGYM Challenge: Re-innovate an existing product
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
Impact story: Not only did students perceptions regarding innovation changed but they gained useful skills, had exposure to real world tools and professional instruction. Despite not being the main intent, the more than 100 novel designs submitted annually since 2019 (excluding the Covid pandemic years) included ideas with commercial potential. This motivates taking the initiative further into the direction of entrepreneurship and the real-world skills and tools associated with such adventures. Post assignment, some students took advantage of the free entrepreneurship training available in this regard and participated in other challenges which demanded an entrepreneurial backbone.
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LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
Learnings: Innovations should require novel ideas and not necessarily technical expertise to execute as students have not yet acquired such and expertise to refine and prototype does exist on campuses. Promoting innovative thought processes should be the focus. Blue Sky ideas are their privileged at this early stage on the journey of entrepreneurship. Passion and excitement should not be hampered by the nitty gritty of business. Small prizes must include money in pocket to entice then that they may earn more by taking their idea(s) further. The submission PowerPoint presentations must be simple with only some basics of entrepreneurship - once a student decides to go forward, the business aspect can be entertained.
Regarding leadership advice - collaborate with as many support units as possible. The persons involved in such an endeavor must be innovation-abled as students must be assisted in practicality and functionality of their products with advice on changes required. The person must be knowledgeable on patenting and have access to this platform for design comparison to existing product.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?To increase the pool of skills and diversify innovation directions. Bring student products to market as a manifestation of employment possibilities. Include innovation outputs from other departments and create a tangible innovation environment at a Higher Education Institute (HEI) and specifically at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, South Africa. Expand the concept of taking student innovation to market, selling on campus, starting a business, collaborating with industry to absorb and to facilitate taking innovations to market in other HEI's in South Africa and globally.
