Engineering Faculty of - of the NWU A year in the life - Engineering | NWU
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
A year in the life
of the NWU
Faculty of
Engineering
1
NWU - FACULTY OF ENGINEERING Content
WE DO NOT RUN FROM CHALLENGES – WE RUN TOWARDS THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
SOLUTIONS!
The NWU Faculty of Engineering functions as a dynamic training hub for
world-class, versatile and innovative engineers.
We focus on equipping engineers and researchers for integrated energy
as well and Industry 4.0 solutions. We are the BRICS University Networks
partner on energy. Male: Female: Master’s Doctorates:
1 448 356 degrees: 98
260
INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN
The BEng programmes of the faculty are formulated to meet not only
the set requirements of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), NWU - FACULTY OF ENGINEERING 2
but also to equate internationally by means of the Washington Accord.
Member countries that ascribe to the Washington Accord include African International Academic NRF-rated A message from the Dean Prof Liezl van Dyk 4
Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, India, Ireland, Japan, students: students: staff: researchers: Faculty of Engineering celebrates exceptional alumni 5
Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Russian, New Zealand, Singapore, South 268 75 82 17
Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States of NWU Engineering leaves a sweet, bitter and creamy taste 6
America. NWU ensuring relevance in the teaching environment 8
Total students Undergrad: 1 438
in faculty: Postgrad: 366 3-D printing to improve life 9
1 804
When one truly lives for research! 10
THE FACULTY CONSISTS OF FOUR SCHOOLS WITH EIGHT
Young female scholars inspired to become engineers 11
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES:
Chemical and Minerals Engineering Even engineering students sometimes wear
• Eng degree in Chemical Engineering CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH WITH MASTER OF superhero capes! 13
• BEng degree in Chemical Engineering with Minerals Processing ENGINEERING (MENG)
Engineers’ community engagement moves into
Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering • Chemical Engineering second gear 14
• Computer and Electronic Engineering
• BEng degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering NWU researcher receives prestigious award 15
• BEng degree in Computer and Electronic Engineering • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• BEng degree in Electromechanical Engineering • Computer and Electronic Engineering Rely on engineers for your baby’s health 15
• BEng degree in Mechatronics Engineering • Industrial Engineering Woman in Engineering – NWU launches exciting
(Brand new as from 2020) • Mechanical Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering
initiative 16
Mechanical Engineering • Development and Management Engineering When business ideas get wings 17
• BEng degree in Mechanical Engineering Dean makes history 18
• BEng degree in Electromechanical Engineering
Master of Science in Engineering Sciences (MSc): NWU Engineering gives her dreams wings – literally! 19
Industrial Engineering (fully research-based) NWU’s Engineering still at the forefront 20
• BEng degree in Industrial Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
New wheels for Snippie 21
RESEARCH CHAIRS • Computer and Electronic Engineering Expose yourself to as much as possible 22
• DST/NRF Chair in Coal Research (SARChi) • Mechanical Engineering
The solar car’s blood, sweat and tears were
• DST/NRF Chair in Biofuels and Other Clean Alternative Fuels • Nuclear Engineering
(SARChi) worth the trouble! 23
• DST/NRF Chair in Nuclear Engineering (SARChi) NWU engineers stimulating the future of green
• ESKOM EPPEI Specialisation Centre for Emission Control Philosophiae Doctor in (PhD): energy 23
RESEARCH ENTITIES The impact of a second chance 25
• Chemical Engineering
• Centre of Excellence in Carbon-based Fuels • Computer Engineering NWU Master’s students – the best of the best! 26
• Unit for Energy and Technology Systems • Computer and Electronic Engineering
• Multilingual Speech Technologies (MuST) His passion is rewarded with a professorship 27
• Electronic Engineering
• Electrical Engineering Our collaboration with BRICS countries 28
HOSTED ENTITIES, PLATFORMS AND INSTITUTES • Electrical and Electronic Engineering Our new language policy 30
• DST HySA Infrastructure Centre of Competence in hydrogen • Mechanical Engineering
production, storage, reticulation and safety codes and standards • Nuclear Engineering We welcome our new PhDs 32
• DTI Centre for Advanced Manufacturing • Industrial Engineering Engineering Week 2020 33
Students flourish during final year projects 34
We want to hear from you Postgraduate diplomas in Engineering: NWU top of class in 2019 Greenovate Engineering Awards 34
Student wins medal for shedding light on power crisis 35
Phone: 018 299 1533 • Postgraduate Diploma in Nuclear Science and Technology
Striving towards excellence 35
Short courses and training centre: Why do we not grow new businesses? 36
Email: sonette.becker@nwu.ac.za
(prospective students) 2 Staff promotions 2019 3 37
• Siemens training centre
• Various short courses on integrated energy solutions Our student association - Ingenium 39
Web: http://engineering.nwu.ac.za/hello
Faculty of Engineering
celebrates exceptional
alumni
He is an alumnus of the North-West Uni- plant, which was launched at the NWU in and fulfilling it properly.
versity (NWU), an entrepreneur and a March 2017. This resulted in the produc-
professional engineer whose expertise tion of bio-oils, bio-char, bio-chemicals “Success requires hard work and includes
and experience are recognised in the in- and bio-gas, and the research is headed a lot of failed attempts,” he says. “It also
ternational arena of distillation, heat ex- by Prof Sanette Marx. requires a ather do everything in your
change, absorption, gas scrubbing and power to offer value for the client’s money
related process operations. Christo is also the sponsor of an annual spent, than trying to impress or please the
third-year student engineering competi- client. When you do that, you are focusing
He is the founder and CEO of the compa- tion at the NWU, which demonstrates his on the project’s outcome. Also remember
ny Mass & Heat Transfer Technology Pty loyalty to and good relations with the fac- that money does not equal success – the
A message from the Dean Ltd, and we are proud to call him one of
ours!
ulty.
“My advice is to rather do
feeling of positively contributing towards a
need, now that’s success,” he says.
Prof Liezl van Dyk Christo van den Heever was recently in-
augurated in the Faculty of Engineering’s
Alumni Hall of Fame during a formal occa-
everything in your power to
offer value for the client’s
About his inauguration in the Faculty’s
Alumni Hall of Fame, Christo says it’s
an unexpected and very special gesture
sion that was held at the NWU’s campus money spent, than trying to that he will cherish forever. “For the very
in Potchefstroom. first time in my 35-year career, I’ve been
impress or please the client.” told that I’m ‘successful’. I usually just
Christo matriculated at Welkom Gim- get a ‘thank you for the work done‘, or a
At the NWU Faculty of Engineering we change the world for the better. We do this, first, by nasium and graduated from the former Under his mentorship, the design and payment in my bank account. This is a
educating and developing exceptional engineers who can and want to change the world and, Potchefstroom University for Christian fabrication of various plants saw the light. very special moment in my life and I am
secondly, by finding answers to current and future real-life challenges of our industries and Higher Education in 1982. They include: honoured to receive this special award,”
communities, through our cutting-edge as well as applied research. We value our industry, he says.
academic and community partners, who enable us to develop relevant, sustainable, multi-dis- He has 35 years’ experience as a certified, • Forty-six chemical plants of various
ciplinary solutions, as well as engineers with the ability and attitude to do the same. professional mechanical engineer and types and products It is a great honour for the NWU to in-
currently performs work of a conceptual • Five beer and cider brewing plants augurate Christo van den Heever as an
This is not an annual report of our Faculty, it is a 2019 narrative. In this publication you will find nature in engineering, design and devel- • Two grain whiskey plants, and one Esteemed Alumnus of the Faculty of En-
selected stories from 2019 that bear testimony to our dream and mission. It is stories of new opment. He provides guidance to senior craft whiskey plant gineering.
exciting, innovative technologies, knowledge and solutions, but it is above all stories of the and lead process engineers, mechanical • More than 520 heat exchangers
people of the NWU Faculty of Engineering who work together towards achieving our dream. engineers and project managers. • More than 120 distillation columns
This publication is dedicated to each and every member and partner of our Faculty – those Christo’s engineering company was re- When asked about his recipe for success,
who are explicitly featured here, but also and more importantly, those who made these sto- sponsible for the designing, construction Christo says it’s not about making money,
ries happen behind the scenes. I am looking forward to write the 2020 story of our Faculty and commissioning of South Africa’s first but rather about identifying a need that
together with all of you. continuous hydrothermal liquefaction people might have regarding businesses,
4 5
NWU Engineering leaves a
sweet, bitter and creamy taste
sweet, bitter and
creamy taste
Final-year students from the School of should not stop at the theory in the class- manner. If one can have fun while doing
Chemical and Minerals Engineering at room. it, all the better.”
the North-West University (NWU) recent-
ly had the opportunity to show that their Professor Quentin Campbell, director of Route 96, a local brewery in Potchef-
course entails much more than poring the School of Chemical and Minerals En- stroom, made their facilities available to
over their books. gineering, attended this day in person to the faculty for this function. It was the
show his support to these students. most suitable place for the students to not
These aspiring engineers competed only present their own beer, but to also
against one another to see who could pro- “The beer, chocolate and cheese com- learn from professional craft beer produc-
duce the best beer, cheese or chocolate. petition is held to show that academic ers in our midst.
activities need not be boring,” says Prof
Although producing these products forms Campbell. “Engineering focuses on em- Marco van Deventer, manager of Route
part of the annual curriculum, the Faculty powering the students to showcase the 96, was very chuffed with the attendance
of Engineering decided that this module theory that we teach in class in a practical on the day. “In future I would like to give
the students a tour of our brewery before Route 96, and André Swanepoel, rep- we, Rainere Cilliers, Kelebogile Chokoe,
they start making their own beer, just to resentative of the craft beer guild of Albert Hartley, Chanelle-Marié Koen and
Photo: The group VaalBrau took honours for the best beer. share a few tips from the industry with Potchefstroom. Leandri Dekker. This group of final-year
them.” students made an American Pale Ale that
“The general feeling of the judges was won them a first place. VaalBrau’s hard
The day started with students running that this year’s standard was much higher cheese, a gorgonzola with three different
about to decorate their own stalls ac- than that of last year,” says André Swane- flavours – a chilli, an apricot and a fig –
cording to the theme of their beer. Among poel. “This year’s Chemical Engineering also won the first prize.
the Chemical Engineering students each students impressed the judges with their
group had to brew a beer and make two high-quality beer that was presented ex- The John Beer group won the prize for the
kinds of cheese – a hard cheese and a cellently.” best soft cheese with their presentation of
soft cheese. a pepper Feta. Nikki van Tonder, Marcus
He also mentioned the importance of in- Keulder, Schalk Kok and Julian Pretorius
The Mineral Engineering students’ as- volving external judges and moderators. are the proud members of this group.
signment took them to chocolate and li- “The public is also invited to come and
queur, where a lot of interesting combina- give their opinion about the beer. This Jonedine van der Merwe and Anel
tions saw the light. is an important process for the contin- Scheepers walked away with the first
uation of the curriculum. I am also very prize for chocolate and liqueur.
The excitement was high when the judges excited about the contribution that this
stood ready to review every beer, cheese, event makes to the culture of craft beer in Of course, a genuine Beer Pong League
and chocolate. There was a panel of jud- Potchefstroom.” was part of the day after all formalities
ges where a few well-known Potchef- were completed, and the students and the
stroom faces could be seen – among The overall winner of the beer brew- public could end their day on a high note.
others Fanie Smit of Garnish catering ing was the team called VaalBrau. The
services, Lukas van Deventer, owner of team consisted of Caitlin van der Mer-
6 7
NWU ensuring relevance in the
teaching environment
As a strategic initiative to ensure rele- The NWU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for or programmes. This includes developing
vant and up to date study modules and Teaching and Learning, Prof Robert Bal- activities and testing them in a real and
programmes for students, the North-West four, explains the importance of develop- practical manner. This step also serves
University’s Centre for Teaching and ing the NWU’s academic staff. “Teach- as a screening opportunity to establish
Learning (CTL) unit has launched various ing and Learning are the core business whether the face-to face and online com-
workshops for academic staff where the of higher education in South Africa. The ponents of the course will complement
opportunity is given to transform and up-
date these modules and programmes.
quality of education, whether in continu-
ing education, post- or undergraduate
programmes, depends on academic
each other.
According to Dr Bechuke, teams then
3-D printing to improve life
Recently, a two-day workshop was pre- knowledge, skills and the andragogic get the opportunity to test each other’s
sented to academic staff of the Faculty of knowledge utilised and developed by aca- module designs and activities. “Valuable
Engineering. The workshop facilitator, Dr demics to ensure that teaching and learn- feedback is provided according to an
Andre Bechuke, says the CTL’s ultimate ing are collaborative and should lead to evaluation form that addresses aspects
goal is to inspire academic staff to en- critical, innovative and stimulating think- such as inclusivity, active engagement, Staff and students at the North-West Uni- facturing company which then supplies it place before we can start experimenting
hance their skills in terms of both teach- ing. Student as well as staff development authenticity and alignment. During the versity’s Engineering Faculty are in the to Boeing and Airbus. For this purpose, with this,” he says.
ing and learning and to provide academic is complementary in terms of our commit- steps of reviewing and adjusting, teams process of giving the traditional way of we must meet the highest standards and
support to students on their path to aca- ment to a quality education experience,” use the feedback gained in the previous manufacturing products a huge blow by use only the best materials. Because of Kloppers says, as part of their commu-
demic success. “Carpe Diem is the work- Prof Balfour says. steps and work together to refine their de- implementing their wide variety of world the fact that we are part of a university, nity involvement, they have established
shop we present, which provides lecturers sign. Prototypes are improved by making class three-dimensional printers. our goal is not to make money from this, various entry level 3-D printers and com-
with the opportunity to redesign or review The first step in the Carpe Diem process alterations where needed. Resources that but rather to promote research outputs,” puters at the local Ikageng Township, to
their programmes or modules, while they is to identify the essential aspects of the will be needed are listed, clear deadlines According to CP Kloppers, a Mechanical he says. create awareness about this technology.
are guided through structured activities module or programme that will be rede- are set and ultimately, the responsible Engineering lecturer, the purpose of this “We have a few masters degree students
and work collaboratively within multidis- signed or reviewed. This is followed by persons are nominated to roll-out and easier and faster way of manufacturing, is The 3-D printer revolution is relatively new who visit the centre on a weekly basis to
ciplinary teams. As a process, it focuses the compilation of a storyboard proto- complete the design.” to give the community access to products to South Africa, and Kloppers believes it evaluate community members’ manufac-
on effective learning design where learn- type which entails the unpacking of the that will make life a bit easier. will cause a total change in the commer- turing ideas and assist them with exper-
ing outcomes are scaffolded and aligned learning, teaching and assessment of the This is just another initiative from the cial and medical manufacturing industry. tise. We then train them to work with a
to content, activities, assessment, and module. The aim is to demonstrate how North-West University to ensure that stu- “We have three-dimensional printers that “At international level, there is a lot of 3-D printer. The result is to manufacture a
feedback, along with the embedding of the module components align and form dents get a well-rounded, quality educa- can basically print any product from plas- funding and research spent on this. We product that will improve individuals’ lives.
innovative teaching practices and digital a logical flow. Academic staff then has to tion that will empower them to enter the tic, various types of metals and carbon just bought a bio-printer which enables “The Department of Science and Techno-
technologies.” build a prototype of the revised modules professional labour market. fibre. If a household product may have us to print organic material. The reality of logy provides funding for this and sees it
broken, or you need to manufacture an this is that human cells can be used to be as a way to stimulate entrepreneurship. If
ornament, toy, invention or part of a spe- reproduced as human tissue. This may an individual designs and manufactures a
cific device, we’re here to assist in manu- sound absurd, but theoretical research product, it may lead to a business that will
facturing it at a very affordable price. We has already shown that bio-printing tech- make a positive contribution to the coun-
have even manufactured artificial limbs,” nology can print “living” skin, organs, a try’s economy,” he says.
he says. nose or an ear that originates from a per-
son’s own cells. In the event of injury to a With this manufacturing facility, the NWU
The Makerspace Center was established person in a fire or car accident, his own aims to positively influence students’
at the School of Mechanical Engineering cells can be reproduced and transplant- thinking by demonstrating that nowadays,
in Potchefstroom to do just what it says - ed as human tissue. The chances are the production or manufacturing of almost
to take product ideas from individuals and then quite slim that it will be rejected by anything, is possible. “With this technol-
to help them create a final, useful product. the body, mainly because it is reproduced ogy we can move away from slow and
Kloppers says they already deliver a va- from the same original tissue. However, often unaffordable manufacturing proces-
riety of products at commercial level, but this is a reality that might only be available ses. We must use it to our advantage,”
their aim is rather to promote the growth in future, but the point is, the technology Kloppers says.
of this technology. “We manufacture a few already exists. Much research needs to
parts for a South African aviation manu- be done and ethical clearance must be in
Group photo from left to right: Santie
Pieterse, Maria van Zyl, Lisa van der
Westhuizen, Vanessa Olivier, Liana
Venter, Kobus le Roux, Ruveix van Coller, For more information on this,
Prof Kenny Uren, Tabitta Lalendle, Dr CP Kloppers can be contacted
Andre Bechuke. at 018 299 1316 or
cp.kloppers@nwu.ac.za.
8 9
Young female scholars
inspired to become
When one engineers
truly lives As we celebrated the women of South Africa during the month of August, the North-West University’s Faculty of
for research! Engineering has once again launched its very own initiative to take these celebrations to the next level. Some 150
girls from various High Schools all over South Africa were given the opportunity to explore the different exciting fields
of Engineering during the Faculty’s 4th annual Femmegineering Celebration.
According to Professor Leenta Grobler, a senior lecturer and project manager, the days of men dominating the
Engineering scene is still an evident and alarming fact. “Despite an improvement in recent years, there remains
a serious shortage of women pursuing careers in Engineering. Traditionally, this field of study remained largely
unexplored by women. The North-West University aims to change this - one semester at a time.”
Over the past few years, the North-West University’s Faculty of Engineering has put much focus on females in
Once you meet an academic research- power industry to minimise their footprint luctant to talk about it. When one receives Engineering through its various initiatives. The attendees included Grade 10, 11 and 12 girls who’s Maths and
er, it often does not take long to realize by ensuring a zero liquid effluent dis- such an award, the feeling of accomplish- Science marks could possibly enable them to study Engineering. This celebration took place at the North-West
whether this person has a true passion for charge. He has therefore coupled com- ment and value is overwhelming. The University’s Potchefstroom Campus.
his work, or if it it’s just a day job which munity-based projects with innovative feedback you receive from your peers is
pays the bills. When you meet Professor projects and explored a wide range of av- quite amazing and is much appreciated. Academic staff and senior students gave the scholars an insightful taste of the various fields of Engineering. They
Elvis Fosso-Kankeu, a researcher at the enues to disseminate his findings. To me, this means that my research has experienced practical experiments in chemical, mechanical, computer, industrial, electric and electronic engineering.
North-West University’s Faculty of Engi- significant impact on changing people’s
In recognition of his expertise, he is con-
neering, it quickly becomes evident that lives for the better. Access to water, spe-
tinuously invited by international peers to
one has to do with a researcher that will cifically on the African continent, remains
review manuscripts. He is currently re-
do everything in his power to benefit hu- an alarming issue. I will continue to do
viewing for more than 21 internationally
mankind. everything in my power to eradicate this
accredited journals and served as exter-
problem which affects the lives of millions
His research within the School of Chemi- nal examiner of more than 25 thesis and
of people.”
cal and Minerals Engineering has recent- dissertations from various universities.
ly been awarded with the Engineering Prof Fosso-Kankeu published around 160 He adds that he is merely the receiver of
Research Capacity Development Award papers including conference proceedings, this prestigious award, and not the sole
at the recent national NSTF-South32 journal articles, book chapters and books; contributor towards it. “I wish to thank my
Awards. These awards are the largest more than 120 of these were published in almighty God and all my students and
science, engineering, technology and in- the last five years. peers from around the country and the
novation awards in South Africa and are world. This was not possible without each
He has also been involved in the mentor-
known as the “Science Oscars” of recent one of you. My advice to every researcher
ing and supervision of more than 60 fourth
times. is to collaborate with others. Don’t try to
year students and more than 12 masters
be a one-man-band. There is much more
Prof Fosso-Kankeu received the award and PhD students from several universi-
to explore and achieve when you reach
for his research contribution towards the ties successfully completed their degrees.
out to others.”
improvement of water quality in the coun- He is currently supervising 8 fourth year
try. His research focuses on the prediction students, five Masters students, six PhD The Director of the School of Chemical
of the dispersion of inorganic and organic students and one postdoc fellow. and Minerals Engineering, Prof Quen-
pollutants from industrial areas into the tin Campbell, congratulated Prof Fos-
“I am currently teaching two modules di-
water sources, the monitoring of surface so-Kankeu for his groundbreaking re-
rectly related to my research, namely Bio-
water quality and development of sustain- search and for receiving this prestigious
technology II and Separation Processes
able treatment methods for the remedia- award. “It is indeed a privilege to have
II. It is therefore with all the enthusiasm
tion of water pollution. Prof Fosso-Kankeu on our team. His de-
that I carry out my task, keeping the stu-
dication and work ethic is an inspiration
He has pursued a particular interest for dents up-to-date with the recent develop-
to his colleagues and students, and his
work in communities affected by extreme ment.”
humble reaction to this award serves to
water scarcity and pollution as well as
Prof Fosso-Kankeu is so humbled by his remind us all of our ultimate purpose in
on innovative technologies to assist the
recent award - it is almost as if he is re- academia,” Prof Campbell said.
10 11
Even engineering
students sometimes wear
superhero capes!
“The plan is to have a five- to eight-year plan for every project. The students built various items of playground and gymnasium
One of Albert Einstein’s most famous quotes was: “We can’t solve By keeping the members of the relevant organisation involved equipment. Among other things they built a wheelchair obstacle
problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created with the project during this period, it will eventually become a course for the Potchefstroom Hospital.
them.” self-sufficient and sustainable project. The idea is also that this
approach will eventually help to address unemployment in the “Every organisation to whom we spoke compiled a kind of wish
This is certainly the mind-set of second-year students at the Faculty of communities involved.” list for us. We wanted to make sure that the project does not bore
Engineering at the North-West University (NWU) who recently had their the students, but it also should not be so difficult that it is not
first taste of the engineering world when they had the opportunity to The building and engineering work was previous handled by feasible,” says Hannes.
work on practical local community projects. first-year students, but Hannes has changed that since last year
so that the second-year students now have to handle this. “This Collapsible book shelves, a device that can produce ropes from
Various projects were tackled with the aim of improving the quality of life was ’n good decision, as we definitely can see an end product of two-litre plastic bottles, classrooms and greenhouses that can be
of the local community. Some projects were identified by themselves, a better quality.” assembled and disassembled quickly, feed mixers, mobile baths
but most of them were needs from various areas in the local communi- for animals, and a safe pit toilet that prevents children falling into
ty. Under the leadership of Hannes du Toit and Pieter Tolmay various Apart from the building work, the students also have to handle the hole, are only a few of the innovative ideas that the students
projects were identified. the planning, marketing, finances and implementation success- came up with.
fully themselves. “These projects prepare the students for the
“Clients had different concepts and development needs. After they saw reality that they have to face one day. Many former students who “We now look forward to taking the faculty’s community engage-
what we had achieved in the past, they realised that our students could have contacted me in the past could not stop talking about the ment to the next level, and to continue to make a real difference
address their development needs,” explains Hannes. value of what they have learnt here,” says Hannes. in people’s lives.”
“We naturally jumped at the opportunity and these projects became part
of the subject Professional Practice.”
He explains that the projects not only provide the students with a broad-
er framework of the whole engineering process, but they also create the
practical opportunity for exposure in the students’ second year of study.
More than 50 student groups recently showcased their products during
a final exhibition. Although this will be the last year that this subject is
taught at the Faculty of Engineering, it did not dampen this group of
second-years’ enthusiasm.
According to Hannes it is sad that the subject will not be presented from
2020 onwards, as it gave undergraduate students a taste of what they
could expect in practice. Various organisations like the Potchefstroom
Hospital, Cross Conect and the Potchefstroom Animal Welfare Society
(PAWS), benefited from these projects.
According to Hannes the faculty will continue with community projects,
but with a multidisciplinary approach.
Photo: This is a part of the wheelchair ob-
stacle course that was built for the Potchef-
stroom Hospital.
Photo: This group of students
built a collapsible dog bath.
12 13
NWU researcher Rely on engineers for
receives prestigious your baby’s health
award
The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) Those who have the privilege of bringing a child into this life
recently hosted it’s 107th Annual Banquet, which saw Prof want to ensure that their baby receives the best possible
Engineers’ community engagement Jan de Kock from the NWU’s Faculty of Engineering being
awarded for his excellence and involvement in the engi-
neering industry.
healthcare and that abnormal health issues are diagnosed
and addressed as soon as possible if this occurs.
moves into second gear
To measure a newborn baby’s weight, height and outer
According to the SAIEE President, Dr Hendri Geldenhuys, limits of the head over a period of at least two years, is
an Engineering Excellence award is made to a Member, very important to determine whether the baby experien-
Senior Member or Fellow who has excelled in Electrical ces healthy growth. These measurement results can often
Engineering and demonstrated above-average involve- give a good indication of the degree of brain development,
ment in supporting the SAIEE with its aims and objectives bone development, malnutrition, obesity or normal growth.
After many years of commitment to com- According to Hannes, the new plan re- “It does not help to identify a need, ad-
as well in their capacity that supports and mentors those Unfortunately, it’s a fact that faulty or defective devices are
munity engagement and development, garding community engagement was dress it, and then it disappears again.
with whom they interact in the workplace. often found in clinics and hospitals that play a major role
staff and students of the North-West Uni- recently submitted and approved by the These initiatives have to have a sustain-
in monitoring your baby’s health. This availability of these
versity’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Engineering management of the Faculty of Engineer- able impact on the communities involved.
“Prof de Kock, a Professional Engineer who became a basic devices is furthermore often lacking in state facilities.
will now turbocharge these initiatives as ing. The ideal will be to identify some of our
member of the SAIEE in 1986, currently serves as an elec-
the saying goes. students who can act as role players in
ted Council Member for the past four years. His dedication Experts at the North-West University’s Faculty of Engi-
“We look forward to addressing the var- the communities. Students coming from
to attending council meetings from far and his contribution neering have come up with research that can eliminate this
According to Hannes du Toit, the faculty’s ious needs of different communities traditionally disadvantaged communities
to bringing the North-West University and SAIEE closer to- problem. Prof Leenta Grobler’s research on an automa-
project manager for community engage- more intensely. The approved framework and who have the opportunity to receive
gether makes him the ideal candidate for this award. Prof ted baby scale which does measurements digitally, without
ment, they decided to take their projects makes provision for, among other things, a tertiary education are also expected
de Kock is a Fellow and serves on various committees and the possibility of human error or inaccuracies, is currently
and initiatives to the next level. other faculties of the NWU and even other by these communities to give something
is also a stalwart of the SA Universities Power Engineering in the development phase. “The scale is designed so that
back to the community where they grew
Conference for many years. He supports the SAIEE CPD it offers the least irritation or discomfort to the baby. During
“The extent of the need around us is up.”
Programme in sharing his wealth of academic expertise. a process where the baby is placed in the scale for a few
frightening. After nine years of initiatives
through the engineering subject Profes-
These initiatives have According to Hannes, these initiatives will
He has vast industrial experience in the design, commis- seconds, electronic measurements are made by means
sioning, and performance assessment of generators and of surrounding sensors mounted on the scale,” says Prof
sional Practice (or FIAP, as it is known to have a sustainable also fit in with the NWU’s teaching poli-
synchronous machines. The valuable contributions of his Grobler.
among the students), it has now under- cy that students have to develop, among
gone restructuring,” says Hannes. impact on the other things, a social and ethical respon-
time, effort and expertise to our institute make Prof de Kock
a deserving candidate for this award,” Dr Geldenhuys said. The scale’s automated technology enables the results to
“The emphasis was changed to integrate
communities involved. sibility during the time of their education
at the university. He says that it creates
be made available electronically, immediately after the
The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers is a pro- measurements are completed, without the possibility that
community engagement with various an opportunity for the students to take
fessional association with more than 6 000 members and a person may make a mistake while recording the results
modules in order to develop projects of ownership of the projects and to better
representing electrical and electronic engineers, technolo- on the baby’s file.
a better quality for the greater benefit of tertiary-education institutions across the understand what the needs in local com-
gists and technicians in Southern Africa.
communities.” country becoming involved. It provides munities entail.
the opportunity to be able to serve com- “The development of the baby scale has to go through a
munities with our expertise in a more sus- final round of fine-tuning to make sure it works accurate-
In a nutshell, the purpose of the subject On the strength of the approval of these
tainable manner,” he says. ly. Once completed, we will apply for permission from the
is to give engineers the opportunity to new community-development plans, com-
North-West University Ethics Committee to do certain tests
develop management skills by working in ponents of the community projects will
of this device on human subjects. If everything goes ac-
groups of six to identify the needs of com- Communities such as the Social and Jus- now also be integrated with some of the
cording to plan, we will be able to offer this device to clinics
munities and develop solutions, which in- tice Centre in Orange Farm, the Amelia NWU’s engineering curriculums. Indus-
and hospitals in the near future,” says Prof Grobler.
cludes the manufacturing of a prototype after-care centre in Potchefstroom, the tries and businesses are approached to
of a product. Potchefstroom Animal Welfare Society, support the projects with funding and ex-
Cross Connect in Krugersdorp and var- pertise.
This already provides practical experience ious other organisations have already
at an early stage of training. Some of the been identified. “The greater goal of this new approach
projects included, among other things, a is to accomplish the transfer of skills. The
mobile animal clinic, aids and equipment Apart from lecturers and students being projects are seen only as a starting point,
for old-age homes and schools for the involved in these projects, a management after which communities must be stim-
handicapped, playgrounds for schools, committee consisting of various role play- ulated to take them further and address
infrastructure for a legal clinic in a town- ers, including community leaders where more needs with the skills that they have
ship, and aids for occupational therapy each project will be rolled out, is also been taught. Engineers are not psychol-
at a state hospital. All of these were de- envisaged. The purpose of this is to train ogists, social workers or counsellors, but
veloped by students to meet the needs of these role players to be sustainable in the we can definitely also have a major so-
genuine clients. communities. cio-economic impact on a totally different
level,” says Hannes. Photo: Prof Jan de Kock receives his award for Excel-
lence in Engineering from the sponsor of the award,
Francesco Pagin (Fluke) and Dr Hendri Geldenhuys
(SAIEE President) on the right.
14 15
Students impress during the Leopards
Lair entrepreneur Competition
Have you ever wondered what it would tition’s final event took place. Prize mon- each other. The next, 12 participants
be like to be a participant in the popular ey of a whopping R100 000 were up for faced an independent panel of business
television show “Shark Tank”, or the Brit- grabs between the top three winners! owners, investors, successful entrepre-
ish version named “Dragon’s Den”, where neurs and members of academia to battle
Woman in Engineering – NWU launches entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas
to a panel of investors? Twelve finalist
students from the North-West Universi-
Leopards Lair 2019, was facilitated by
the NWU’s bhive Enterprise Development
Centre (EDC) and is an initiative backed
it out for a place on the winners’ podium.
According to Johann, the annual business
exciting initiative ty and the Vaal University of Technology
have recently experienced just that, when
they took part in the NWU’s own version
by strong support from the Technology
Transfer Office and the Faculty of Engi-
neering.
competition is one of the ways in which
the NWU is actively promoting entrepre-
neurship as an innovative career alterna-
of this competition. Welcome to the Leop- tive for graduates.
ard’s Lair! According to Johann Landsberg, mana-
ger of the bhive EDC, the competition was “Through initiatives such as Leopards Lair,
Blood sweat, agony, stress and hard work decided over several rounds. The partici- the NWU aims to address the challenges
As we see ourselves in a modern world time technology tour of Silicon Valley in The winning team, by names of Carli went into various business idea projects pants first submitted their Idea to Concept many start-up entrepreneurs face,” says
where the evolution and development of the United States and attendance of the Swart and Berli Roodt from Waterkloof which were recently pitched to a pan- proposal after which 40 students were in- Johann. He adds that empowered entre-
technology enjoys first priority, the North- Girls in Tech Catalyst Conference in June High School, identified that anxiety and el of academic-, industry- and business vited to take part in the Business Model preneurs will be able to make informed
West University’s Faculty of Engineering 2019. associated panic attacks are real and experts. The final fifteen projects, out of Canvas phase of the competition. and creative decisions that will positively
initiated a one of a kind problem solving serious problems for many people on the a 180 entries were identified as finalists impact South Africa’s strained economy.
and smart manufacturing competition According to Prof Leenta Grobler, project autism spectrum. Their idea was to de- for this year’s Leopard Lair Competition From here, 20 students proceeded to the In short: an entrepreneurial mind-set will
specifically aimed at high school girls. leader, 38 girls from in 18 teams were in- velop a special wearable device which where student contestants had the oppor- next round during which they had to pro- henceforth be a crucial commodity within
vited to pitch their problem solving ideas. can detect when a patient is experien- tunity to get valuable input and coaching duce a video pitch and face off against the ever changing world of work.
With sponsorship from the SETA for Man- “Boys in general tend to be more analy- cing a panic attack and automatically from industry leaders, before the compe-
ufacturing, Engineering and Related Ser- tical whereas girls tend to be more cre- apply moderate pressure to the patient’s
vices, merSETA, the aim of this competi- ative and while engineering may not be body, to activate the parasympathetic Melanie wins big by fighting period poverty
tion was to encourage South African girls the most obvious career choice for many nervous system which can then naturally
to identify problems in their own commu- girls, it is a field of study that desperately relieve the symptoms of the panic attack. Melanie Pieterse is a young entrepreneur associated with that time of the month. She used what she had at her disposal,
nity that may be addressed by technolo- needs their creativity to solve future prob- on a mission. As the winner of the North- namely a sizeable storybook collection.
gy. Semi-finalists (teams of 2-4 girls) were lems. It is also a field in which women can The first runner up team consisted of West University’s (NWU’s) Leopards Lair This product – which can also take the And before long she ran her own book
recently selected from all over the country really excel, that is why it is important for four team members. They were Molebo- competition, this final-year student in in- shape of access to a specialised service exchange from her dolls house in her
and hosted at the university for a mento- you to encourage participation from the geng Diseko, Thendo Sikhauli, Oreabetse dustrial engineering not only impresses or event invitation – is sourced from oth- parent’s backyard by charging her friends
ring and training workshop, after which girls in your school.” Maphangela and Lesedi Mono from Car- as a start-up fempreneur, but she is also er fempreneurs and in this way promotes R5 a book. Interestingly enough, her first
teams pitched their ideas and solutions leton Jones High School. They identified actively supporting fellow entrepreneurs. the cycle of entrepreneurial support. For contributor towards the monthly subscrip-
for the ultimate prize of a once in a life- The teams got involved by identifying a the problem that a lot of purified drinking All while working towards bettering the each subscription a donation of sanitary tion box, Hanli, was one of her childhood
problem worth solving in their community, water is wasted to flush toilets and wa- lives of young schoolgirls across the products is made to a less fortunate girl, “customers” at the book exchange.
related to food, security, water, the envi- ter gardens. Their idea is to harvest and country. How is she doing this? Through enabling her to stay in school and enjoy
ronment, health or energy. They then had locally store grey water, which is then her entrepreneurial venture called The the benefits of her education. “I guess that’s where it all started,” says
the opportunity to explore the idea using reused for these activities as and when Period Package. Melanie and adds that she is very thankful
craft materials to showcase their solution, necessary. Melanie explains that the idea is to em- about the support and guidance she is re-
thought about how they would test their With research indicating that as many as power local entrepreneurs to join her ceiving from the NWU’s bhive Enterprise
solution. “The sponsored prize will now really give 30% of girls in South Africa are missing network and in doing so create a sup- Development Centre (EDC) in further de-
these two girls an opportunity to explore out on school when they are menstruat- port network for entrepreneurs. The first veloping her concept.
“We named the competition Modiragat- the possibilities within the various fields ing because they cannot afford sanitary rendition of The Period Package saw a
si, because it is the Setswana name for of engineering. We look forward to seeing products, Melanie’s social entrepreneurial dietitian, Hanli Etsebeth - a dietitian blog- One of her prizes is business develop-
“performer”. Women are those perform- many girls like Carli and Berli in the future, venture aims to not only address period ger, include an eating plan tailor-made for ment support, including business incuba-
ers who will change South Africa and find shining their way to the top of a profes- poverty, but also to motivate women to women on their period. tion, coaching and mentoring as well as
solutions for problems that we have not sion in engineering. The NWU, together support each other and by doing so cele- networking opportunities as sponsored by
even identified yet. The girls really took with our merSETA partners are privileged brate their unity. Melanie laughs when she tells the story the bhive EDC.
ownership of this competition and identi- to be able to help pave the way of women of how she first got interested in entrepre-
fied relevant problems where they could in science,” Prof Grobler said. The Period Package is based on a sub- neurship, way back when she was in pri- * The first runners-up were Ruben Kriel,
make a difference. scription system and sees subscribing mary school. At that stage the concept of Henco Kriel and Niel Behnke* with their
women receiving a special care package entrepreneurship was still foreign to her, venture, Wicked Vapes. The start-up ven-
each month. The package contains san- but she knew she had to be clever to raise ture, Bean, was the second runner-up.
Photo: The winning team of the NWU’s first ever Modiragatsi competition itary products as well as a pick-me-up money to use at the school’s tuckshop. This team comprised of GD van Tonder
is Carli Swart and Berli Roodt from Waterkloof High School. surprise product to ease the period blues en Ruben Steenberg.
16 17
Dean makes history His passion is
It was an enormous honour for the from the first floor of the engineering
rewarded with a
professorship
Faculty of Engineering at the North- building. The acoustics of this building
West University (NWU) to inaugurate seem to have been designed especially
its executive dean as the first female for choir performances, because the
professor of this faculty. sounds heard in the foyer of this building
were superb!
Prof Liezl van Dyk, an industrial engineer,
recently delivered her inaugural address Prof Van Dyk’s spouse, Prof Tobie van Photo: Prof Liezl van Dyk has been inau-
for a full professorship to an audience of Dyk, their children, Karla and Tobias, her gurated as the first female professor in the
about 120 guests during a prestige event. relatives and friends, were also part of the NWU’s Faculty of Engineering. With her is Photo: Prof Willie Venter during his in-
audience. The faculty management and Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chan- auguration as professor of the Faculty of
In her address on the fourth industrial two of the NWU’s deputy vice-chancellors cellor for planning and campus operations Engineering.
revolution, she provided an overview of also congratulated her on what is surely in Vanderbijlpark.
the history of several industrial revolutions the biggest milestone in an academic’s
the world has experienced so far, and the career.
development that has taken place over
several decades up to where we stand “This is another occasion on which we
at the beginning of the fourth industrial experienced what the essence of the NWU It is no secret that the Faculty of Engi- completed his PhD and then returned to opportunities than all the other fields of
revolution today. involves. Congratulations to you, Prof neering at the North-West University plough back his knowledge at the NWU engineering combined.
Liezl. We look forward to experiencing (NWU) is one of the faculties that is held as associate professor in electronic and
As a sign of emotional support and your leadership skills at the School of in the highest repute in the country. This computer engineering. “Too many opportunities have passed
congratulation to this former director of Industrial Engineering, in the faculty faculty lately inaugurated another expert because too few computer engineers are
the School of Industrial Engineering, all and the professional industry,” said Prof from their stable as professor to expand During his time at the NWU he has found available to address the needs. My big-
the staff members of the school attended Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor their profile of expertise even further. his research niche and thus far has made gest dream is to especially address these
Prof Van Dyk’s inaugural address. Not for planning and campus operations in an exceptional contribution to the industry opportunities and make a positive differ-
only was this school established under Vanderbijlpark. Prof Willie Venter, a computer engineer, – at national as well as international level. ence,” he says.
her guidance in 2017, but she is also recently delivered his inaugural address. He was also a mentor to 33 MEng and
the first person from this school to be During the course of 2019, three other PhD students who completed their stu- Prof Daryl Balia, deputy vice-chancellor
promoted to professor. staff members from the Faculty of Prof Venter is a beloved colleague with dies under his supervision. One of these of the campus, handled the formal in-
Engineering were also inaugurated as many miles of experience behind him. His auguration and congratulations. “We as
The NWU Puk Choir brought the house professors. They are Prof Willie Venter, inaugural address was held in the Sen- university, community and nation want to
Photo: Prof Johan Rens during his inau-
down when they performed the NWU’s Prof Johan Rens and Prof Marelie Davel. ate Hall on the campus in Potchefstroom, be the leaders with respect to technology
guration as professor of the Faculty of
University Anthem, and three other works,
Engineering. where the former deputy vice-chancellor,
Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg, praised
“Make sure you grab and opportunities. With experts like Prof
Venter in our midst we can take compu-
him during the opening and welcome part every opportunity the ter engineering forwards. Congratulations
of the event. “Willie is a fixer. He wants to and all the best with your task,” Prof Balia
use his science to make the world a better
future may hold!”. said.
place for all,” he said.
As part of his acknowledgements, Prof
Prof Venter was born in Kroonstad in Venter mentioned his mother, sister, cou-
1957 and matriculated at the Afrikaans students was his eldest son, Gert Venter, sin and colleagues who were present at
high school in the same town. He refers who was also the proud recipient of the this prestige evening. However, he made
to this phase as a “humble beginning to NWU Chancellor’s Medal. special mention of his two sons, Gert and
this career”. He paid special homage to Willem, and his wife, Arthurita. “You have
one of former teachers, who also attend- The opportunities that computer engi- always been my pillar of strength. I am
ed the inaugural event. “This man made neering offers to South Africa and the so proud that my two sons share my love
an enormous impression on my life. Mr world are close to Prof Venter’s heart. In for engineering. Thank you for what you
Koos Smit, thank you that you have come his inaugural address he explains in the mean to me.”
to celebrate with me today.” smallest detail how any industry can be-
nefit from this specialist field. From ro- Prof Venter concluded with a final thought
Prof Venter left South Africa from 1987 to bots, modern technology, cars that can to the audience: “Make sure you grab ev-
Photo: Prof Marelie Davel during her in- 1989 to study computer engineering at the drive themselves to logistics transport. He ery opportunity the future may hold!”.
auguration as professor of the Faculty of Iowa State University in America. Here he says that this industry offers more career
Engineering
18 19NWU’s Engineering still New wheels for
at the forefront Snippie
A great honour was recently bestowed “This program is largely similar to chem- sources. “South Africa is a dry land, which
upon the North-West University’s Faculty ical engineering and many of the princi- means we must use this resource with
of Engineering when their program in Min- ples overlap with each other. A profession utmost care and responsibility. It is thus
eral Processing has been named under in mineral processing or chemical engi- very important to establish processes that
the top 100 best programs in the world in neering is currently regarded as one of are more environmentally friendly. We
this field. the scarcest professions in South Africa train our students to be able to make a
and there is currently a great need for ex- positive contribution towards the environ-
This announcement was made by the perts in this field,” he says. mental problems of our country and the
Academic Ranking of World Universities, world.”
also known as the Shanghai Rankings. It Prof le Roux adds that they are very ac-
is an independent organization that spe- tive in research and it is no secret that this The undergraduate qualification in Chem-
cifically focuses on higher education and faculty is known as the leaders in coal pro- ical Engineering with Mineral Processing
consists of experts from various fields of cessing in the country. “We have a very is a 4-year degree, not only recognised by
study, which annually publish a list of top good international stance on our research the Engineering Council of South Africa,
universities and research. The Shanghai and over the past 10 years, we managed but also by several organisations in the
Order is considered one of the three most to deliver approximately 30 postgradu- USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
influential rankings in the world. ate students in coal mining, as well as a the United Kingdom, Ireland and Hong
lot of accredited articles and conference Kong.
According to Prof Marco le Roux, pro- contributions. We are currently specialis-
gramme leader, the field of chemical engi- ing in dry coal processing and drying of Please check out this short video for more
neering with mineral processing involves ultra-fine coal.” He says the use of wa- information or contact Prof Marco Le
the processing of mined ore to a useful ter in coal processing places increasing Roux at marco.leroux@nwu.ac.za or 018
As the car sped away, the Swart family were left aghast at the aftermath of a reckless deed. Their six-year
product such as gold, coal or diamonds. pressure on our already scarce water re- 299 1990.
old whippet, Snippie, was the victim of an accident that left her paralysed from the waist down.
Mom Carien was as devastated by the injury suffered by their beloved Snippie as she was by the trauma
that afflicted her 10-year old son Hanco. She posted a video account of the act on Facebook, hoping that
the culprits would see the damage they inflicted on her family.
Whether or not the wrongdoers saw the Facebook post, is not clear, but fortunately GJ Stols, a third-year
mechanical engineering student at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Potchefstroom did
see Carien’s post.
He immediately addressed the problem and designed a two-wheel carriage for Snippie’s hind legs.
“I saw the video of Snippie that was posted on Facebook and it was very traumatic to see the poor dog
paralysed. I love animals and I wanted to help them, so I contacted the family, told them who I am, and
offered to build Snippie’s wheels,” explains GJ.
The design took about a day and Turnmil Engineering manufactured the various parts free of charge.
After about two weeks Snippie was ready to try out her new “legs”.
“Snippie immediately started moving around and sometime later I saw how she was able to run at full
speed next to Hanco riding his bike,” says GJ.
Snippie is running again and Hanco is smiling. This is all that GJ had hoped for.
“I could see the boy loves his dog very much. She is one of his best friends.”
20 21You can also read
