The objective of making CUT a first-rate institution to support research in science, technology and engineering is making a laudable progress. On 19 and 20 September 2016, the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering in collaboration with South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE), and Eskom hosted the 2^nd bi-annual engineering conference themed ‘engineering for a better future’. CUT and its partners have played a critical role in bringing together technicians, technologists, engineers and researchers in the field of electrical engineering to exchange ideas on the latest trends and developments in the field.

The theme of the conference is ‘Engineering for a better future’ and CUT understands the value of education and the role it plays in building a better future for engineering professionals in the sector. Prof. Alfred Ngowi, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology spoke about the forth-industrial revolution and what engineers should know about it. He said that the fourth industrial revolution was the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies; including cyber-physical systems, the Internet of things and cloud computing. “The fourth industrial revolution has distinct features compared to the previous industrial revolutions; it has speed, impact and a wider scope to do things. To be successful in the fourth industrial revolution there is a need to work collaboratively in all sectors and ensure that appropriate skills are imparted to future engineers,” he said.

 

SAIEE President, Mr Thembinkosi Madikane, commended CUT engineering lecturers for taking an active lead in the electrical engineering fraternity. He also mentioned their good relations with CUT. Mr Madikane also mentioned that SAIEE as a professional voluntary association strives to be a leading, respected and reputable entity in the society of Electrical Engineers, promoting electrical science and its applications for the benefit of its members in Southern African and keeping close contact with appropriate national and international organizations. “ I’m proud to say that our members are professionally engaged in a full range of engineering activities including academic research, manufacturing, electronics, telecommunications, measurement and control, mining, and power infrastructural services and they make meaningful contributions to the steady advancement of technology as well as the quality of life of communities out there. The Institute contributes to the common interests and welfare of the entire engineering fraternity through close co-operation with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).” Dr Kanzumba Kusakana, Head of the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering presented the performance, operations, equipment, and technology (POET) approach on energy efficiency. He defined energy efficiency as the ratio between the energy input and output. He focused his presentation on the use of traditional power plants and solar energy as a solution to the worldwide increase in energy demand. 

Mr Du Toit Grobler from Engineering Council of South Africa talked about his association and how it helps institutions to international recognition for their programmes. “ECSA is a co-signatory to the "Washington Accord" – an agreement in which the registering bodies of countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland recognise each other’s accredited university degrees in engineering. This not only confirms that your academic qualification is internationally acceptable, but also enhances your marketability. If you do not register, you will find it increasingly difficult to secure employment in responsible engineering positions as more and more employers are requiring registration with the ECSA as a prerequisite for appointment to certain engineering positions,” he said. ECSA is a statutory body established in terms of the Engineering Profession Act (EPA), 46 of 2000. Its primary role is to regulate the engineering profession in terms of this Act. The aim is to promote a high level of education and training of practitioners, professionalism in the engineering profession, and the interests of the profession in the country. The conference hosted 250 delegates and 30 local and international presenters. The most senior presenter Fred Catlow 82 years of age, an international speaker is also currently a fellow of the SAIEE presented his paper on “Providing Energy for a Needy World”. A visually impaired speaker Mr J Mbhombhi also contributed with his topic on “Future Perspective of Power Quality Management by South African-based Power Utilities”. The professional registered attendees with ECSA obtained 2 CPD point for their attendance. The conference was jointly sponsored by ESKOM, SAIEE, CUT, Surgetek, Imperial GM Bloemfontein and Montello. 

Images 

1: Thembinkosi Madikane SAIEE president; Du Toit Grobler, ECSA representative and past President of the SAIEE; Dr Ben Kotze SAIEE Central centre chair and Senior Lecturer CUT; Dr Kanzumba Kusakana, Head of the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering; Mr Frans de Jager, Co-organizer for the conference, ESKOM; Dr Frik Grobler Co-organizer for the conference, ESKOM; and Prof. Herman Vermaak, RGEMS research Unit Leader. 

2: Prof. Alfred Ngowi, Dean: Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.