Agri Food Technology Station (ATS) recently hosted a Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) Symposium at Bellville Campus, where numerous emerging entrepreneurs shared their experiences on available channels to get their products to the retail shelves.

The symposium with the theme: How do you get your products to the retail shelves, was attended by representatives ranging from the corporate industry, government and small businesses. This included: Standard Bank, Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Technology Innovation Agency, Western Cape Provincial Department of Agriculture and Department of Economic Development and Tourism

The SMMEs included: Spicy Bulldog, Ubuntu Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) who shared their experiences into getting products in Spar and Woolworths shelves respectively. ATS manger, Ndumiso Mshicileli, who welcomed the guests hailed the success of the event, which they consider as part 1, with part 2 that will be planned in the second half of the year.

“The end goals were achieved as the purpose was to create a networking platform, knowledge and information sharing on funding vehicles, technology transfer services etc.”

The presentations included two entrepreneurs who shared their experiences on having their products on supermarket shelves. “The session’s objective was in turn to create opportunities for collaborations and largely for SMMEs and entrepreneurs to access services of Agrifood Technology Station (ATS).”

Mshicileli was also impressed by the interaction between the audience and the speakers which was “inspiring and shared invaluable information to the attendants”.

“ATS hopes to start more projects with those who attended to assist them to develop and innovate new products that could eventually feature on the shelves for consumers.” The event not only provided access to knowledge to the attendants but also helped to showcase technology, equipment, and instrumentation ATS has within the Department of Food Science and Technology. “It also indicated what CPUT can offer and contribute to the economy of the Western Cape and the rest of South Africa through supporting the SMMEs, entrepreneurs and various communities through ATS interventions.”

Delegates also gave CPUT a thumbs up for the great opportunity that was provided by the institution. Enterprise Direct Manager at Standard Bank, Siphiwo Mbande, said they came to CPUT to honour the invite and had a discussion with the entrepreneurs whilst they were able to position the banks’ Customer Value Proposition and “the end goal was to create opportunities for both the entrepreneurs and the bank”.

“The organisation was great and the presentation from TIA stood out. “[CPUT] continue with the initiatives to create opportunities and look for bigger venues and a formalised approach.” Loyiso Manga, founder of Ubuntu Extra Virgin Olive Oil brand, the first black-owned brand of extra virgin oil in South Africa, said: “I was keen to tell my journey to emerging entrepreneurs, network and learn from other speakers who were invited to speak. All was achieved.”

Manga said the event was “well organised and informative, [however, it] needs to strengthen the virtual connectivity as many people wanted to be a part of the great programme”. “Job well done; they [organisers] should do this more often.”

Moerida Morat, a delegate, said: “To CPUT, thank you for the opportunity, if it wasn’t for you, I would be stuck in my business. You opened up doors that were previously closed. It’s really big for me.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

CPUT is living up to it mission statement and cementing partnerships with institutions and agencies, both nationally and internationally.

One of its most notable partnerships is that with the French, who during the past few years collaborated with CPUT on a number of projects.

The university is now looking at extending its number of collaborations with the French and recently hosted a delegation from the N+ I Network, a group that represents engineering schools in France.

The delegation met with members of the Engineering Faculty and the Office of International Affairs at the Bellville Campus.

The parties explored possible collaborations in research, curriculum development, as well as staff and student exchange. They also discussed the possibility of offering dual degrees.

Director of the Office of International Affairs, Merle Hodges says talks with the N+ I network started in 2012.

“This recent visit offered an opportunity for heads of departments and professors from the various institutions to meet and discuss various aspects of the partnership,” says Hodges.

The most notable collaboration to date with the French is F’SATI, a joint venture between CPUT and ESIEE-Paris, a graduate school in France. The collaboration is a huge success, with F’SATI leading training in satellite engineering.

The most recent collaboration resulted in the establishment of the Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre. The Bellville-based centre is a joint venture between CPUT, the French Ministry of Education, the French company Dassault Systems and the Technology Innovation Agency.

Written by CPUT News

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In a bid to fuel innovative activities in the province, the four universities in the Western Cape have joined forces and expertise to offer a course in Technology Commercialisation.

The course is aimed at students, researchers and other individuals interested in taking their ideas and turning it into sellable products or services.

This ambitious joint venture is earmarked to become a permanent feature on the universities’ calendars, says CPUT’s Prof Gary Atkinson-Hope, Director of Technology Transfer and Industrial Linkages.

The course has received a stamp of approval from the Technology Innovation Agency, a body established by the government to stimulate technological innovation in order to improve economic growth.

Hope says the course, which will run over four weeks, will be presented by the country’s top experts in the technology and innovation fields.

The course will cover patenting and licensing technologies, industry and market research and provide steps on how to put together a full-proof business plan.

The first session will be presented at CPUT on Tuesday 23 July, with follow-up sessions taking place at the University of the Western Cape, University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University.

For Registration and Further Information visit www.entrepreneurwc.co.za

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 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.

Thanks to a donation from the Technology Innovation Agency, CPUT now boast the latest 3D design technology software for clothing product development.

This cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing clothing production, by helping the industry to cut down on prototype cost.

The software, which is housed at the Technology Station in Clothing and Textiles, allows a designer to develop a pattern on a CAD system and then develop a 3D simulation of a garment that can be shown on a virtual mannequin. 

Head of the station, Shamil Isaacs says the new software will allow them to provide innovative support to SMMEs.

And to ensure staff has the know-how, Prof Michael Ernst of the University of Niederrhein in Germany recently spent a week showing the station’s staff along with their colleagues from the Fashion and Clothing and Textile Technology Departments how to operate the software.

Prof Ernst, who holds the chair in Textile Product Development at his university, says the software is being used across the word and is proving to be a success.

He says the possibilities are endless, allowing users to do various adjustments on the virtual mannequin before producing a product. Users can change styles, sizes and even the type of materials.

Prof Ernst says the software will make a huge impact on teaching and learning at CPUT.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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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 treatment system developed by a team of innovators at CPUT’s Flow Process and Rheology Centre is set to boost the textile industry by significantly reducing the amount of potable water the industry uses.

“We are developing a one-step treatment reactor using locally developed nanopowders for treating textile wastewater. This treatment system offers an almost instantaneous removal of the colour from the water,” says the Centre’s Prof Veruscha Fester.

“This treatment system will not only be able to treat wastewater for disposal to municipal treatment systems, but to a standard suitable for re-use. If the water can be re-used, millions of litres of potable water will be saved.”

Fester is developing the treatment reactor with the Centre’s Dr Mahabubur Chowdhury and Gunnar Visser.

The laboratory prototype has already been upscaled from 6 L/hour to 72 L/hour.

Fester says R4.8 million has been received from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Technology Development Fund to upscale the reactor to a 1 000 L/hour industrial prototype in the next year.

“The textile industry is really coming on board. Some of the companies use about 2 million litres of water a month so if we can save at least 75 percent of that water to be recycled and re-used on site – that will make a huge difference.”

The initial research was also started from TIA seed funding administered by CPUT’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO).

The TTO has subsequently filed a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application. It is hoped that a spin-off company will be formed in South Africa that will provide further social benefits beyond water treatment, including the creation of jobs.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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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

Written by CPUT News
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A BTech Consumer Science student will soon be jetting off to London after delivering an impressive pitch at the recent SA Technology Network student pre-conference workshop.
Keagan Canterbury said the innovation he pitched focused on the development of a functional dairy-based product containing omega-3 fatty acids and carotenes.

It was announced as the best student pitch at the workshop, which was hosted by the Technology Innovation Agency.

“My specific product is a yoghurt-based honey mustard salad dressing that I developed for my Food Science 4 product development assignment. My supervisors are Prof. Maretha Opperman and Mrs Enid Hinrichsen,” said Keagan, who is also a teaching assistant in the Consumer Science Department.

Keagan will be going to London at the end of the year where he will work with and learn from Sherwyn Pillay of Hypergrowth-Buzz. The company specialises in consulting with small businesses to develop them into larger corporations in a small space of time

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT students and staff members will take part in this year’s Sasol Solar Car Challenge 2018, South Africa for the first time.

Held every second year, the competition sees teams from across the world design and build solar-powered vehicles to drive across South Africa in an eight day event.

Prof Graeme Oliver of the Mechanical Engineering Department has put together a team of 20 staff members and students to compete against the more than 20 local and international teams expected to participate.

Oliver initially signed CPUT up for the competition back in May, but only received confirmation of Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) funding at the end of June, leaving two months to put together the car.

Since the project is not integrated into a particular course or subject, students from Mechatronics, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering have volunteered to work on the team with the help of the TIA Adaptronics AMTL research unit based at CPUT.

“Because this is our first time entering the Challenge there is a lot of extra learning to be done. Until you have the actual thing in your hand, you can’t always tell what you need. So, we need to build the car. In two years’ time we will probably have all exact motors and solar panels and experience we need,” said Oliver.

Eugene Erfort of the Adaptronics AMTL pointed out that automotive technology is one of their focus areas. While the specific technology is different the experience gained on the Formula Student project will be useful. CPUT has taken part in the Formula Student inter-university challenge twice at Silverstone Circuit in the United Kingdom.

“Because we’ve got the history in the automotive industry we became involved in this project,” said Erfort who will handle logistics for the CPUT team entering the Challenge.

The solar electronic car which they will build for the Sasol Solar Challenge 2018, South Africa will be called CPUT Solar Flyer “because it looks a bit like a plane.”

Mechanical Engineering lecturer and project organiser Felicity Harris says if all goes well then this could be the start of future projects of this nature which can be incorporated into coursework.

In addition to helping organise the actual trip Harris is putting together an academic engagement plan.

“Part of the bigger plan is to use the project to create awareness around studying engineering at CPUT. After the competition we will take the car to schools as a talking point,” said Harris.

The 20 strong team is hard at work in the Adaptronics AMTL building, when teaching and learning schedules allow, but not all will travel to Pretoria for the actual road trip.

The team who do eventually make the journey will drive the car from Pretoria to Stellenbosch between 22 and 29 September, covering a set distance every day, and we will be able to follow their progress via social media and the CPUT website.

Written by Theresa Smith
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