The Free State department of agriculture and rural development has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Da Vinci Institute for Technology Management to empower agricultural students.
The milestone ceremony took place at Glen College of Agriculture in Bloemfontein, signalling a new era of innovation-driven collaboration. The MoU outlines a strategic framework for cooperation, focusing on institutional development, modern curriculum transformation, digital systems, research, mentorship, and skills development.
This initiative will directly benefit Glen College of Agriculture’s academic and administrative staff, students, and young farmers nominated by the department.
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Education and innovation
According to the department, the partnership aims to reshape Glen College’s brand identity and visibility, supported by a co-developed brand strategy to reflect its repositioned academic mission. Training and mentorship are core elements of the MoU, with hybrid learning solutions designed to reach a wider audience across the province using SAQA-aligned content and technology-enabled platforms.
Curriculum transformation is a key priority, as both institutions will collaborate on developing a future-driven agricultural syllabus focusing on sustainability, applied learning, and modern farming techniques.
“The MoU also includes a commitment to advance teaching methods, research practices, and digital transformation, including a new online application system and improved student registry services.
“In addition, the partnership will promote stakeholder engagement, fundraising, innovation networks, and institutional quality assurance processes,” the department said in a statement.
Leadership drives the vision
Professor Ben Anderson, principal of Da Vinci Institute, said it is critically important that a private-public partnership is realised in the educational sector to empower communities.
“The Da Vinci Institute has strategically partnered with the Glen College of Agriculture, forging a collaboration with the department through applied learning, innovation and workforce development.
Anderson emphasised that the programme looks beyond production to include market integration, value chain development, and innovation ecosystems. “We shouldn’t produce for the sake of selling, but need to look at the latest trends in food. We want to link the participants with the markets, research and industry departments,” he said.
Meanwhile, Free State agriculture MEC Elsabé Rockman praised the MoU as a major step forward in delivering on the departmental budget vote speech commitments.
“This initiative will strengthen our intent to develop Glen College of Agriculture as an academic institution of choice, whilst creating a more enhanced learning experience for Glen students and young farmers.
“It also strengthens the extensive work towards meaningful youth development we conceptualised and implemented since the start of the seventh administration. We are deeply appreciative of this initiative of the Da Vinci Institute and its partners,” Rockman said.
She urged young farmers to seize the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge for building sustainable agricultural businesses.
As part of the agreement, fifteen young farmers have already commenced the Structured Incubated Entrepreneurial Development Programme. Launched on 30 June, the programme includes business coaching, education, masterclasses, proposal development, food festivals, and more, all designed to support emerging agripreneurs in building competitive enterprises.
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