The Central University of Technology hosted its Autumn Graduations at Welkom Campus on 05 and 06 May 2022 which marks the start of the weeklong graduation programme for the university.

The ceremonies began with undergraduates, postgraduates and doctoral degrees in the Faculty of Humanities. The university conferred diplomas and degrees to 800 diplomates and graduates at the Welkom of 3798 graduates that will obtain their qualifications by the end of next week. Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Alfred Ngowi, congratulated the graduates for their achievement. “A graduation is one of the most important events in a person’s life. It is the pinnacle of a student’s academic pursuits and the outcome of three to 4 years of toiling. Some take longer for a variety of setbacks that confront us. We know the struggles that students must overcome to reach the finishing line, and for that we take off our hats,” said Prof. Ngowi.

During the afternoon graduations, the university conferred Dr Cornelius Johannes Hansen an honorary Doctorate Technologiae in Mechanical Engineering to recognise his entrepreneurial drive and the outstanding contribution he has made to nano fuel technology.

A well-known businessman, property developer and entrepreneur, Dr Hansen is the founder, co-owner and Executive Chairman of the Naf-Tech Energy Company. Hansen obtained the Baccalaureus Procurationis (BProc) degree from the University of Pretoria in 1980. He started with his articles during the third year of his BProc studies and completed these within the allocated two-year time frame. He was admitted as an Attorney of the Supreme Court of South Africa in 1980, and in 1996, he was awarded Right of Appearance in the Supreme Court of South Africa.

Mr Hansen is the impetus behind Naf-Tech, a novel, South African innovation. This unique fuel combustion enhancer was developed to lower fuel consumption and contribute to the national commitment to a sustainable future by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, whilst also making the product available to the public at an affordable price. Over many years of national and international research and development, the company has scientifically proved that Naf-Tech contributes significantly to reducing emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), lowering fuel consumption and maintenance cost, and improving power output.

Naf-Tech is used by various companies, some of which are listed on the JSE. The Naf-Tech innovation is manufactured locally in strict adherence to national and international regulatory standards. Naf-Tech is registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and has product liability cover underwritten by Lloyds of London.

As a result of Naf-Tech Energy’s breakthrough innovation in the field of nano fuel technology, the company was invited to deliver research papers at various events, including the 2017 Nano technology and Energy Symposium, the 2016 Southern African Energy Efficiency Convention, and the South African Innovation Summit. Naf-Tech’s international exposure in terms of R&D, and export, extends to various countries in Africa, including Zimbabwe, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, as well as the Middle East (Iran and Teheran), South America and Europe. Further international expansion is in progress. Building on the success of Naf-Tech’s flagship Diesel Combustion Fuel Enhancer, the company has successfully developed a product line, and further Naf-Tech products are currently in development.

“In this rapidly changing world of innovation and technology, we are seeing a great reliance on technology to solve environmental problems globally, and Dr Hansen’s breakthrough innovation is what we aim to achieve with our applied research outputs, and we are certain that he will play a critical role in support of our ongoing dialogue on the role of the university can play towards the sustainable development gaols agenda which has now put the spotlight on the universities’ rankings”, concluded Prof. Ngowi.

Mr Hansen has been serving as a member of the Committee D02 for Diesel, Petrol, and Petroleum Gasses of the International American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) since 2008. This committee plays a significant role in setting international petroleum standards for 53 countries worldwide, including South Africa.

Caption

1. CUT hosted its 2022 Autumn Graduations at the Welkom Campus to mark a weeklong graduation programme for the university.

2. CUT conferred an honorary PhD in Electrical Engineering to Dr Cornelius Johannes Hansen in recognition of his entrepreneurial drive and outstanding contribution to nano fuel technology.