CPUT has added another state-of-the-art centre to its already impressive list - the Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre (PLMCC).

The centre is a joint venture between CPUT, the French Ministry of Education, Dassault Systems and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and is the first of its kind in Africa and only the fifth to be set up in the world.

The Bellville-based centre will train engineering students how to use specialised computer software, which will allow them to become skilled in virtual product design, development and manufacturing.

Speaking at the recent launch, Jacques Kurkdjian, a representative from Dassault Systems, said their investment in CPUT, will allow the university to address the shortages facing the engineering sector.

EXPERT:  Dean of Engineering, Dr Nawaz Mohammed and Prof Stephane Bouyer, who will head up the centre, watch as a student demonstrates how the virtual product design system works.

Although South African companies make use of this software, universities do not have the capacity to train students in virtual product development.

“The PLMCC will play a big role in the development of skilled engineers in South Africa,” said Kurkdjian.

Pierre Le Monde, a representative from the French Embassy said the centre will also foster innovation in the higher education sector and South Africa.

And with CPUT making inroads in innovation, both nationally and internationally, Naim Rassool from the TIA, said industry could even see spin-off companies developing from the centre’s activities.

“CPUT is ideally positioned to host this center because it has the drive to make it a success,” he said.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Anthony Staak said CPUT is proud to host the centre, which is the second unit to be set up with the help of the French.

Several years ago, the F’SATI unit was set up and now leads training in satellite engineering.

Prof Staak said the centre will further cement CPUT’s relationship with the French Government.

By Candes Keating

Photographs by Clive Galant

Written by CPUT News
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A training centre designed to equip underprivileged people with the skills essential to the energy industry has been launched on the Bellville Campus.

Through the use of its didactic equipment and intensive vocational training, junior and senior technicians in the field of electricity will now enter the work environment with advanced practical skills.

Schneider Electric, a global specialist company in energy management, will be deploying its teachers from around the world to provide advanced training on various topics of interest such as entrepreneurship, and using its Access to Energy programme as a vehicle to create employment in communities.

“Through this programme, Schneider Electric provides innovative green solutions that create access to energy in communities where people are living without access to energy,” said Eric Leger, Country President at Schneider Electric Southern Africa.

The centre is part of a national network of five training centres called French South African Schneider Electric Education Centre network (F’SASEC).

F’SASEC forms part of Schneider Electric’s sustainability strategy to train electrical artisans from disadvantaged backgrounds with the ultimate goal of creating employment.

Prof Alexandre Sebastiani, F’SASEC Director at Vaal University of Technology, said the network allows for TVET College graduates to enrol for short courses at CPUT to add to their knowledge as well as for CPUT students to go to the College of Cape Town to learn more about practical work.

Ben Groenewald, Head of CPUT’s Electrical Engineering Department, said he is proud of the partnership involving Schneider Electric, the French Ministry of Education and CPUT, which allows for the interaction between the university and the local college and added that the project’s future looks good.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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