The Faculty of Applied Science is taking bold steps to increase the number of doctoral graduates in South Africa.

Currently, South Africa produces just over 1000 doctoral graduates a year – a dismal figure compared to other countries producing far higher numbers. According to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), this figure is way below the number of doctoral graduates required for the growth of the South African economy.

With CPUT committed to addressing local and national problems, the Faculty of Applied Science has put in place strategies to increase the number of doctoral graduates.

Prof Michael Mcpherson, Faculty Research Coordinator said they have submitted an application to the Department of Education for the approval of several new programmes at the Doctorate of Technology level. 

“By offering more doctoral programmes we will be able to broaden our research base,” he said.

Doctoral programmes are planned in the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Technology and Nature Conservation. The faculty already offers doctoral programmes in Chemistry and Environmental Health.

Prof McPherson said they are also in the process of recruiting post-doctoral fellows, who will play a critical role in the contribution of research and supervision of doctoral students.

The faculty has also increased its staff profile by employing several researchers who hold doctoral qualifications while a number of existing staff members have improved their qualifications up to doctoral level.

These initiatives will go a long way in improving the faculty’s research output, said Prof McPherson. Currently the faculty boasts the second highest research output at CPUT in terms of journal publications, conference proceedings and book publications.

The faculty’s initiatives are being supported by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr Chris Nhlapo.

“Efforts by Prof McPherson are lauded as these can only expand our research base and increase our research output,” said Dr Nhlapo.

The faculty’s initiatives are also in line with the CPUT 10-year Research and Innovation plan, which was tabled in September of this year. The plan outlines strategies that will ensure CPUT produces more doctoral candidates, research output and patents.

“The generation of new knowledge by researchers is highly acknowledged, lauded and fully embraced by my office. It is indeed the only way of building a globally competitive faculty,” said Dr Nhlapo.

By Candes Keating

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With the national energy sector facing a shortage of staff, CPUT has set itself up to play a key role in training highly skilled electrical engineers.

Recently the university launched the Centre for Substation Automation and Energy Management Systems– the only one of its kind in South Africa. It will offer specialised training, research and development in new technologies, which will improve power systems in South Africa.

The Bellville-based centre already received a thumbs-up from the government and industry, who has noted its role in the contribution of a skilled workforce.

EQUIPMENT: The centre received a large number of donations from industry, which included high-tech equipment.

Prof Raynitchka Tzoneva, who is spearheading the centre’s activities, said in 2004 new technology was introduced in the area of Substation Automation Systems, which are complex computer programmes, used by electrical engineers to operate substations and ensure an uninterrupted power flow to consumers.

“All over the world people are using the new equipment and technology. However, in South Africa there is a lack of skills in this sector. Universities are also not producing engineers who are properly trained in the new technology,” she said.

Tzoneva said the centre, equipped with a state-of-the-art substation automation laboratory, will provide students with hands-on experience, ensuring they hit the ground running when entering industry.

TRAINING: Postgraduate Electrical Engineering students and staff members who are currently utilizing the centre for training and research.

The centre, which was funded by the National Research Foundation, a development arm of the Department of Science and Technology and CPUT, will also provide much-needed training for engineers and technicians employed in industry.

LAUNCH: Members of the CPUT community and government officials attended the launch of the Centre for Substation Automation and Energy Management Systems, which recently took place.

Tzoneva said the appropriate training of student and energy practitioners will alleviate a number of problems currently facing the national energy sector.

By Candes Keating

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CPUT recently hosted a one-day seminar at the Bellville campus IT Centre with the aim of gathering a number of local entrepreneurs to share the challenges they faced when starting up their now-successful businesses.

The workshop, titled Beyond the Starting Blocks, took place on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 and was a collaborative effort between CPUT, Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town (UCT).

This regional workshop, was funded by the Innovation Fund, and is part of the National Innovation Challenge (NIC) Student Business Plan Competition. It was co-ordinated locally by George Mvalo, Manager: Institutional Transformation and Diversity, who was the Project Manager on behalf of CPUT.

The Innovation Fund is an instrument of the national government Department of Science and Technology (DST) established in 1999 for the funding of innovative science, engineeringand technology development programmes and is managed on behalf of the DST by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

To open the seminar, Dr Andrew Bailey, who is joint Project Manager on behalf of the University of Cape Town and Intellectual Property (IP) Manager for Research Contracts and IP Services in the Research and Innovation Department at UCT, started off proceedings with a welcome and introduction. He explained the purpose of the day’s discussions and highlighted the main aim of “giving young entrepreneurs insight into starting and maintaining a successful business”.

Guest speakers included Dr Greg Starke (DISA Vascular), Dr Justin Devine (Synexa Life Sciences), Ali Brey (Hot Platinum (Pty) Ltd – a spin-off of a UCT/CPUT’s research project) and Retief Krige (Retief Krige Industrial Designers CC), who each gave inspirational and engaging presentations to the group, detailing their challenges from drawing up a sound business plan; finding reliable interested funders; patenting one’s idea/product to developing new concepts and products for the changing market.

One of the greatest outcomes of the day was the information sharing that took place between experts and amateurs in the business arena, with many young entrepreneurs finding mentors amongst the panel members.

Working hand-in-hand with the government, the Innovation Fund aims to improve the lives of South Africans by helping anyone with ideas for technological innovation to enter the business world and contribute to its positive growth.

The Innovation Fund is mandated to promote technological innovation through investing in late - stage research and development, Intellectual Property protection and commercialisation of novel and inventive South African technologies.

Annually, the National Innovation Challenge (NIC) hosts the Student Business Plan Competition which presents tertiary students – particularly those with a keen interest in entrepreneurship – with an opportunity to present their unique and innovative technological business concept to a panel of experts to be judged.

The most outstanding ideas submitted will then have the opportunity to be researched, developed, showcased and ultimately commercialised through the Innovation Fund.

Some of the criteria used to judge the entries include how the student originated the business idea; whether the idea is marketable; where would the entrepreneur obtain financial support and would the business service/product be sustainable in a changing economy?

To find out more information on the National Innovation Challenge, visit the Innovation Fund’s site at http://www.innovationfund.ac.za , the CPUT NIC sign-up site at http://active.cput.ac.za/nic or contact the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Technology on 021 959 6203/6242.

By: Thando J. Moiloa

Photo: George Mvalo of CPUT (second from left) with the Joint Project Managers and guest speakers at the NIC workshop.

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The Adaptronics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Laboratory (AMTL) is a leading research unit at CPUT and their innovative activities have now paid-off.

The institution has recently been given the go-ahead by the Technology Innovation Agency to convert the research unit into a fully operational technology station.

GO GETTERS: Staff and students at the Adaptronics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Laboratory were responsible for developing CPUT’s first Formula One student race car.

This is a huge feat for the institution which already houses the Agrifood Technology Station and the Technology Station in Clothing and Textiles.

An initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, these facilities are mandated to assist small and medium enterprises to become more competitive through technology and skill transfer projects.

The new technology station will provide support for the engineering sector and will focus on five key areas - adaptronics research and development, unmanned platforms, ocean engineering, automotive technologies and universal design.

Prof Oscar Philander, who will head up the new facility along with the support of Operations Manager, Eugene Erfort and Technical Manager Mornay Riddles, says their services will include engineering consulting, training programmes and technical support.

“We will also place a strong emphasis on research and technology work and on providing internship opportunities to students,” he says.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr Chris Nhlapo says they are excited about the addition of a third technology station, which will play a key role in developing the skills base needed to grow the engineering sector.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Students at CPUT are poised to become national leaders in technology innovation.

This comes after students showcased their skills in the National Innovation Competition (NIC).

The competition sees tertiary students from across South Africa develop business plans that outline technology innovations.

This year CPUT students came up with a number of innovative ideas, ranging from keys that buzz in the dark to water purification systems.

The competition was launched in 2005 by the Innovation Fund, which is an agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) aimed at driving innovative technology development programmes.

Speaking at the NIC awards ceremony, which took place on 13 October 2009 at the Cape Town campus, National coordinator of the competition, JP Kloppers said they were impressed with the entries.

Of the 20 applications, the top three ideas were selected for prizes.

Electrical Engineering students, Solomon Smit and Morne Roman, clinched first prize and walked away with R50 000.

Their plan outlined the development of a key match system, which would aid individuals to find the correct key when opening a door at night. The key match system would also prove beneficial to visually impaired individuals.

The second prize winners were Industrial Design student Micah Donnoli and Interior Design student Alika Dobie, who developed a water purification system that could be used in informal settlements.

Third prize winners were Business students Emang Mochwhanaesi and Percy Moila who developed a scanner calculator that is attached to shopping carts.

The scanner calculator allows shoppers to scan their own products and pay at the till without having to unpack the trolley.

Kloppers said even those who did not win must go ahead and develop their ideas.

With the local legs of the competition wrapped up, the winners of each tertiary institution will compete against their counterparts at the national round of the NIC.

The first prize is R300 000, which must be used to develop and commercialise the winner’s idea.

Prior to the national competition that takes place in March 2010, the winners will participate in an accelerator workshop.

“The idea is that they update and grow their business plan into a fuller and more robust plan,” said Kloppers.

Manager for Institutional Transformation, Social Cohesion and Diversity at CPUT, Geroge Mvalo, who is the chair of the institutional steering committee of the competition, said they were impressed with the calibre of students.

Mvalo said they recruited outside experts to scrutinise the plans and assist with selecting the winners.

He said the competition must be sustained by CPUT in order to promote entrepreneurship through innovative ideas.

By Candes Keating

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On 14 August, CPUT, as part of its celebration of Women's Month, gave a group of 100 Grade 10 and 11 female learners the opportunity to attend presentations by five inspirational women who had used Mathematics as a path to success in a variety of fields.

The learners were picked by their schools for their passion and achievement in Mathematics. The programme was planned by Dr Shaheed Hartley and Melissa Quinn of the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (CEMSTE), and was held in partnership with the Capetonian Hotel. The CPUT Director of Advancement, Gillian Mitchell was Master of Ceremonies.

One of the most memorable speakers was Dr Phethiwe Matutu of the Department of Science and Technology. Dr Matatu was the first black woman in South Africa to be awarded a PhD in Pure Mathematics.

Dr Matatu spoke about how studying Mathematics has given her the ability to work independently and pay attention to detail. She illustrated this with examples from her own life, describing how, as a child growing up in a rural village in the former Transkei, she did calculations in the family shop where there was no till. An affinity for Mathematics as a child ultimately lead her to pursue the subject at a tertiary level.

“As a woman you can become anything you want to be,” she said, “so make your choices responsibly so as not to lose the gains that women have made so far.""

The day’s presentations illustrated how Mathematics serves as a platform to a multitude of opportunities, in areas as diverse as science, medicine, engineering, business and the arts.

CPUT doctoral student in Microbiology, Ms Vanessa Jackson explained how she performs mathematical calculations on a daily basis to plot the growth curves of bacteria. Dr Thandi Matsha, of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences discussed her research into obesity-related diseases and how she uses Mathematics to interpret statistics. Dr Ayesha Jacobs from the Department of Chemistry, discussed how she uses Maths as part of her research into supramolecular chemistry.

Fatima Hamdulay, a lecturer at the Graduate School of Business explained how a knowledge of Mathematics helped her develop a style of thinking that can be taken from one career to another. Her undergraduate studies focussed on Chemical Engineering, but thinking in a mathematical way had helped her develop her career further in the Business field.

The learners who attended the event were active participants in the day’s programme. They performed songs and poems between the presentations and responded to each speaker with relevant questions.

The event was the second Women in Mathematics Programme held by CPUT. Dr Hartley plans to continue running the programme annually so as to expose new generations of young women to role models who have used Maths as a basis for successful careers.

By Ilana Abratt, Marketing and Communication Department

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CPUT has beaten competition from hundreds of applicants to participate in the revered South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChi).

An initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, CPUT has been given the go-ahead to set up Research Chairs in the areas of Teacher Education and in Innovative Small Satellite Technology and Applications for Africa.

The Chairs aim to develop world-class experts in specific research areas who can contribute to the overall development of South Africa. 

Coordinated by the National Research Foundation (NRF) the Chairs are sought after in the higher education landscape as they provide universities with much-needed funds to achieve their research and developmental goals.

Combined the Chairs awarded to CPUT are worth R5 million.

Dean of Education, Maureen Robinson, says the Chair in Teacher Education will impact research activities in the Faculty.

“This will enhance the status of teacher education as a field of study in its own right, extend national and international links, and deepen our knowledge about the topic. In the longer term, one would hope that this would contribute to improving the quality of teaching in South Africa,” she says.

SCIENCE: One of the research chairs will focus on small satellite development.

Meanwhile, Director of F’SATI, Prof Robert van Zyl, says the Chair in Innovative Small Satellite Technology and Applications for Africa, will allow them to expand on their current research and innovation activities,

“It also provides us with the necessary long-term sustainability to plan strategically for the future.  The sky is truly not the limit for our Programme,” he says.

Deputy-Vice Chancellor Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Dr Chris Nhlapo described the awarding of the Chairs as a milestone for CPUT.

He said it will ensure that the University becomes a research intensive institution and makes a meaningful impact in the regional system of innovation.

By Candes Keating

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CPUT, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, local industry and various tertiary institutions within the Western Cape recently launched the Western Cape Regional Innovation Forum at the Breakwater Lodge, V&A Waterfront.

The Forum, the theme of which was ‘Innovation through Cooperation’, has been developed to activate the Regional Innovation System (RIS) by facilitating a comprehensive engagement of Western Cape businesses, institutions and government (collectively known as Triple Helix stakeholders).

The Forum will provide a unique opportunity to network, cement and exchange opportunity and know-how as a contribution to both regional and national innovation.

This collaboration and networking among the Triple Helix stakeholders is critical for economic growth and wealth creation, particularly in the advent of Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the new IPR Act 51 of 2008. The latter encourages universities to manage their intellectual assets appropriately. Academically it is also important for local universities to establish linkages with industry to bridge the innovation chasm.

Welcoming the guests, CPUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga, mentioned that CPUT has been asked to be the coordinator of the project. She said the event marks the significance of how the problems relating to health, poverty, unemployment, and service can be solved through collaboration and partnerships. Prof Mazwi-Tanga said there was a strong correlation between innovation and economic growth.

Marjorie Pyoos, Deputy Director General at the DST, said CPUT played a significant role in mobilising institutions in the Western Cape. She drew an analogy to Finland, which is dependent on forestry but became a key role player in the world economy because people are seeking innovative solutions.

Pyoos said the recent economic recession should not be seen only as negative but also as a challenge to reverse our situation and grow economy. She said the people of Finland came up with technological ideas.

Piet Barnard, Director of the Technology Transfer Office at the University of Cape Town, said they were getting 60% of foreign funding for research from local government, NGO, and national government.

Among the other people who spoke at the launch were Shamil Isaacs of the CPUT Clothing and Textile Technology Station, Phindile Tshabangu from the University of Stellenbosch and Khalid Khan from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. Their presentations showcased strategies, opportunities and possible collaborations within the Triple Helix stakeholders. There were also group discussions on strategic implementation of these activities.

During his vote of thanks, Dr Chris Nhlapo, CPUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, thanked everyone who attended the forum and reminded the guests that 55% of all National Research Foundation (NRF) ‘A’ rated researchers come from the Western Cape.

By Thami Nkwanyane

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The Tshumisano Trust in partnership with CPUT held a two-day Tshumisano Annual Forum and Cross-Learning Workshop Programme at the university’s Bellville Campus earlier this quarter.

Fifteen technology stations and Institutes for Advanced Tooling (IATs), all belonging to the Tshumisano Trust, attended the forum on 15 and 16 June 2009.

The trust was developed by the Department of Science and Technology to strengthen mutual relationships between Universities of Technology and technology-based Small and Medium Enterprises in identified economic sectors of national priority.

The Tshumisano members meet twice annually with all the technology stations and IATs in a forum.

On the first day, the members participated in a cross-learning workshop after all the stations were benchmarked against an international benchmark and were also given feedback.

The German aid organisation, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), sponsored the first day, where consultants benchmarked all the technology stations.

Part two of the programme involved strategic planning.

The benchmark results were used to highlight areas of deficiency and as a guide for the strategic discussion that followed.

The planning particularly focused on Rapid Appraisal of Local Innovation Systems (RALIS), which is a tool that is used to determine the major factors in local innovation system.

According to Shamil Isaacs who manages CPUT’s technology station, the second part of the programme involved a process of self-evaluation from attendees and later the group identified strengthens and weaknesses a from all the stations that participated.

The problems, such as being able to clearly identify the value chain and industry specific problems were linked with the RALIS.

The workshop was designed to benefit everyone involved and all parties learned from each other.

Each technology station had to present the annual report, the performances and a number of interventions they have completed.

To wrap up the first day, the group hosted a dinner party that was held at the Good Hope Suites, Grand West.

At the function, the technology of stations received various awards, and CPUT’s Clothing and Textile station was awarded the certificate for Best Training Component.

Isaacs said: “We as Technology Stations face the same challenges and that also help us to learn from each other.

“By using this forum as an opportunity to share with each other projects and interventions we all improve our performance.”

The Technology Stations will soon be incorporated into the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), which will provide grater stability on much more resources as it is an act of parliament.

By Andiswa Dantile

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Making history on the African continent does pay-off and the team at F’SATI is proof.

The Institute’s Human Capacity Development Grant from the National Research Foundation (NRF) has been renewed to the tune of over R16 million. The NRF manages the contract on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology which has funded the F’SATI Space Programme since 2009.

This investment is in addition to the NRF’s multi-million rand South African Research Chairs Initiative, which will see world-renowned Prof Norman Fitz-Coy join the team later this year.

Over the past few years F’SATI has proved their worth in the higher education sector and has positioned itself as CPUT’s flagship programme. It developed and launched Africa’s first CubeSat in 2013, produced 50 engineers and has established itself as a CubeSat technology support hub for Africa.

It is also home to the Africa Space Innovation Centre, an innovation hub that boasts an impressive product line of satellite communications systems that are being marketed internationally by Clyde Space in Scotland.

With the funding set to be paid into their coffers soon, the team has their work cut-out having to meet their funder’s grant deliverables within a period of three years.

But based on their impressive record, this team, under the leadership of Prof Robert van Zyl, is sure to do much more than just the required outcomes.

Van Zyl thanked all at CPUT for supporting the Institute.

“The launch last year of ZACUBE-1 (“TshepisoSAT”), Africa’s first CubeSat in space, is testimony of the expertise, passion and dedication of a wonderful team of staff and students we have at CPUT,” says van Zyl.

“We respect the national mandate that we are entrusted with. We will therefore continue to do our best to reach the targets we have set ourselves; making CPUT great.”

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Through technology transfer and the diffusion of innovative technologies, the Metals Technology Laboratory (METL) will facilitate strategic projects that will contribute towards the growth of a sustainable South African and more closely the Western Cape foundry industry.

Launched recently at CPUT, the METL is a highly specialized unit that is based in the TIA Adaptronics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Laboratory.  Its activities are aligned to the National Foundry Technology Network (NFTN), a key foundry industry support initiative, which is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry.  

Spearheading activities at the METL is Llewellyn Cupido, who is part of the first cohort of South Africans who participated in the Research and Innovation in Foundry Technology scholarship programme, a Department of Science and Technology supported initiative aimed at developing high-end expertise to support the technology and innovation capabilities of the South African foundry industry.

Cupido says while South Africa has a struggling foundry industry, much more can be done to facilitate the development of a globally competitive industry and the potential is great.

“Technology and innovation in the South African industry is lacking. They are able to melt metal into shapes, but the question is how can they make better products using innovative technologies?” says Cupido.

“Internationally the industry has become innovative. We need to innovate to compete internationally.”

Cupido says the METL aims to expedite projects that will see the introduction of new technology into the South African foundry industry and will also provide general project assistance, in collaboration with its various partners.

Based on the Bellville Campus, the unit has access to a range of capabilities, which include state-of-the-art design and product performance simulation (virtual engineering), and casting simulation utilising the software MAGMASOFT. The unit also has the software Thermo-Calc, which is used for thermodynamic calculations such as phase diagrams and for the exploration of thermodynamic properties of chemical reactions.

The unit will also work closely with the Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre, also based at the Bellville Campus. The centre, which is the only of its kind in Africa, focuses on product design, product lifecycle management and system engineering.

Cupido says MELT is currently also involved in several projects, which includes a collaboration with the China Academy of Machinery Science and Technology. The project is exploring the use of patternless casting technology to reduce production time and cost, as well as the improvement of dimensional accuracies by producing casting as close to the final product. Other projects involve the design and simulation of castings used on power plants and the investigation of the corrosivity of specialty steels used in nuclear structures.

Cupido will also participate in the upcoming BRICS Foundry Forum and visit China later this year.

• The Research and Innovation in Foundry Technology scholarship programme is a collaborative initiative between CPUT, the Faculty of Foundry Engineering at AGH University of Science and Technology and the Laboratory for Aerospace Materials of Rzeszow University of Technology in Poland. It is supported by the Department of Science and Technology,

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

It’s up to South Africa’s future engineers to find solutions to the problems facing the continent and the rest of the world.

Humbulani Mudua, Chief Director of Space Science at the Department of Science and Technology, urged graduates from the Faculty of Engineering to become innovators, dreamers, industrialist and developers.

He says the graduating class must address the problems facing the 21^st century and also explore how to evolve in thinking about and designing new technology for the future. Mudua also encouraged graduates to work collectively alongside others in various disciplines as well as to make use of the opportunities put in place by government to advance South Africa.

“Let’s unleash South Africa’s potential,” says Mudua.

During the ceremony, graduate Jean-Pierre Mostert was also recognized for his outstanding academic performance.

A BTech Electrical Engineering graduate, Mostert was awarded the coveted Vice-Chancellor’s Medal, which is an annual award given to the overall top achieving student.

Mostert obtained distinctions in 21 of 24 subjects, with an average of 87.4 % over all four years of study.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Talented chemistry students Kudzanai Nyamayaro and Kelly Shunje are flying the CPUT flag high.

The duo who are based in the Department of Chemistry have been awarded the Innovation and Priority Research Areas Masters Scholarship, an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology that is facilitated through the National Research Foundation (NRF).The scholarship aims to increase South Africa’s cohort of masters and doctoral graduates.

Applicants face a competitive selection process, but Nyamayaro and Shunje’s excellent academic record helped them clinch the prestigious scholarship. Of the 821 awardees for 2017 nationwide, only 7 CPUT students made it to the list.

Both are currently working towards their MTech qualifications under the guidance of Dr Nikoletta Báthori. Their work is based on crystallography (determining the arrangement of molecules /ions in crystalline solids), with a focus on the improvement of the properties of pharmaceutical drugs.

Shunje is exploring anti-malaria and anti-tuberculosis drugs focusing on improving their physiochemical properties through formation of multicomponent crystals.

With her sights set on graduation in September, Shunje says she enjoys research and is looking forward to applying her skills in the pharmaceutical industry.

“I ventured into this specific area because I have a strong desire to discover solutions towards the alleviation of suffering and peril in the world. I would never be able to be a doctor and work directly with patients, but by working on pharmaceutical drugs I can still help people.”

Nyamayaro, who has already co-published three papers, is focusing his efforts on aspirin and how to increase its lifespan after it is exposed to water or air.

Also set to graduate this Spring, Nyamayaro, who has won several prizes for his outstanding academic records, says he is grateful for the scholarship and the funding it makes available to facilitate his academic and research activities.

Nyamayaro, who has his sights set on completing a doctorate, is one of the top performing students in the Faculty of Applied Science. He was recently awarded the James Moir Medal by the South African Chemical Institute, which recognizes the top chemistry students at each university and university of technology.

However, Nyamayaro says while a love of science prompted him to follow a career in chemistry, hard work has played a huge role in his success.

“I work and study really hard. I think this is a good combination for success. If you put effort into something it will eventually work out,” he says.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

The CPUT Satellite Programme recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus about presenting technical seminars on the university campus.

The Satellite Programme’s partnership with Airbus dates back to 2009 when the programme was first established with government support through the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

French South African Institute of Technology Director Prof Robert van Zyl explained under that first MoU, Airbus Defence and Space (then EADS Astrium) presented technical seminars by their senior engineers during the F’Sati Space Industry Seminar series.

The most recently signed MoU will facilitate the continuation of these industry seminars. The two parties wanted to rework their agreement to mention they would work together in the frame of the CPUT Space engineering and CubeSat programmes. The agreement sets out the terms under which the two parties will co-operate to perform activities for the education and training of the next generation of South African space engineers, promote the Satellite engineering programme and support the setting up and implementation of the South African Space mission.

“The seminars have been very popular, attracting participants from all spheres of the industry, namely academic, industry, government, and not only from South Africa, but the region as well,” said Van Zyl.

The Satellite Programme has since its establishment matured into an internationally recognised and nationally strategic centre that develops skills vital to the national and regional space industries. CPUT’s second nano-satellite ZACube-2 is due to be launched into outer space on 25 December.

“Africa is also at an exciting junction of its space programme, having adopted the African Space Policy and Strategies. Formalising partnerships with a global leader in the space industry such as Airbus strengthens our ability to provide our students with an international perspective on the space industry and exposes our space industry to global technology trends,” said Van Zyl.

He thanked Airbus for their continued commitment to F’Sati and CPUT specifically and the industry at large. “We also want to take this opportunity to thank DST and its agencies for their unwavering support.”

Written by Theresa Smith
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CPUT hosts the DST-UNESCO Engineering Week on Bellville campus from 17 to 20 September 2018.

Prof Mellet Moll, Acting Dean: Faculty of Engineering, explained that the annual Engineering Week is sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and is done in collaboration with a host university. “It is a great honour for CPUT to host the event this year,” said Moll.

The week focuses on addressing the challenges of the engineering profession in Southern Africa and the rest of the continent and is also aimed at attracting learners to subjects such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The event (DST-UNESCO Engineering Conference) rotates among the nine provinces of South Africa.

The DST-UNESCO Engineering Conference starts with a day-long student conference on 17 September, with students from Engineering Faculties from all South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) invited to take part.
“Postgraduate students from engineering faculties of South African HEIs submitted abstracts and the best submissions will be presented, with prizes for the best paper and best poster presentation plus a student function which provides a chance for the students from various institutions to network”.

“The formal proceedings of the student conference will be run by academic from CPUT, UCT and Stellenbosch in collaboration with engineering students who are members of CPUT’s SRC,” said Moll.
The main conference will take place from 18 to 20 September and is free and open to all people involved in the engineering profession including industry and academia as well as people in related disciplines who are interested in the topics that will be discussed.

“We have a line-up of speakers from across the spectrum including the DST, SANSA, NRF, ECSA, CPUT, our neighbouring universities UCT and Stellenbosch as well as industry specialists.”

“Engineering finds itself in a changing landscape, especially with the advent of the Industrie 4.0 era. A lot of things have to be reframed so we selected the theme ‘Enabling the Fourth Industrial Revolution for Sustainability and Economic Growth’,” said Moll.

“The conference is divided into sub-themes which require dialogue, especially within the southern African context. These include Industrie 4.0 itself, Energy, Water, Environmental Engineering, Infrastructure, Beneficiation, Space Science, Women in Engineering and Engineering Education.”

*Students can visit the DST-UNESCO career exhibition in the Major Sports Hall on Tuesday 18 September and Wednesday 19 September between 9:00 and 16:00.

Written by Theresa Smith
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