Excellence and innovation promoted at SU shops
Stellenbosch University (SU) has always strived for excellence and therefore strives to promote amazing innovation. As part of these pursuits, InnovUS, SU's industry interaction and innovation company, has opened two brand-new shops on Stellenbosch Campus.
The Maties Shop in the Neelsie was established in 1995 but has been given a new look and was reopened on 15 January. The Stellenbosch University Store in Dorp Street, which opened on 7 February, is housed on the same premises as the Gallery University Stellenbosch. Both stores showcase and sell various SU-branded merchandise like clothing, gifts, wine, plants and even baby clothing. The stores also stock a variety of innovative designs from SU students and other designers.
“The shops have a classy yet fresh design and a modern and flexible layout. It is also a prime example of how InnovUS works with an academic environment to create a symbiotic relationship around commercialisation activities," says Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU.
The two shops fall under the management of SUNCOM (previously known as Commercial Services), and, in collaboration with InnovUS, have, over the years, helped to bring the excellence and innovation of SU products to the forefront.
“InnovUS and SUNCOM joined forces in 2017, bringing together the commercialisation of intellectual property and that of support services into one division. We believe that this supports the strong message from the University executive that we must all work together to develop the fifth income stream of the University to contribute to long-term sustainability," says Hein Swanepoel, Director of SUNCOM.
Swanepoel believes that the stores have items linked not only to SU but also to the general public. “These two stores can be a place of joy and become the centre of all shopping on Campus. In town, we want to focus on the tourism market and promote SU and Stellenbosch in general."
Speaking at the official opening of the Matie Shop[U1] in the Neelsie, Anita Nel, Senior Director for Innovation and Business Development, said that the two shops will be a window to the world for Stellenbosch University.
“This is not only a shop but also a place where students can showcase their work. We have home-made products like Maties Milk, wine and jewellery – all these will be available at the two stores for people to get a taste of Stellenbosch.
What we have done here, with the Stellenbosch University Store in Dorp Street, is a first for South Africa, as no other institution of higher learning in the country has had a shop outside its university premises selling its products."
Apart from InnovUS, the Department of Visual Arts is also closely involved in the SU store initiative. The stores will stock the unique creations of SU's jewellery design students and products like wine and small plants from the University's Botanical Garden.
Many SU students are happy about the new shop in the Neelsie . The Corporate Communication team spoke to Chris Kode, a BCom law student: “I'm trying to decide which hoodie to pick!" Commenting on the expansion, Kode said that the new shop is a lot bigger and very student-orientated, which he likes.
Shanice du Preez, studying for a BSc in viticulture and oenology, said that it is as though the shop is inside a mall: “There are so many items to choose from! I'm getting ideas to buy birthday gifts here because this shop caters for everyone."
