NWU Faculty of Engineering 2020 Magazine

EFaNculGty oIf NEERING 1

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Content A message from the Dean - Prof Liezl van Dyk 4 Brand new qualification in Mechatronic Engineering for the NWU 5 NWU - Faculty of Engineering Facts 6 NWU engineers rising to the Covid-19 challenge 8 International endorsement for NWU's nuclear technology management 9 Our hope lies in the power of our people 10 How to resolve Coronavirus food shortages 12 Centre of Excellence in Carbon-based Fuels hosts symposium in renevable and sustainable energy 14 HySA at the NWU 15 Dire need for research to improve child literacy 16 NWU engineers create solution for school-based Covid-19 screening congestion 18 NWU engineers walk away with international award for tackling Covid-19 20 Nothing artificial about their expertise 22 NWU Engineering reaches out to Itsoseng Women's Project 24 NWU engineers tutor prospective students 26 Passion and knowledge = innovation 27 Get ready, get set... 29 Project launched in MASCCOM Training Centre 30 Teaching and learning go online as NWU takes education to people 32 Femmegineering paving the way to a more balanced future 34 2020 PhD Graduates 36 Our involvement in the Engineering without borders design challenge 38 Well-deserved staff promotions 40 Industrial engineering students take part in the Inchainge Global Student Challenge 2020-2021 42 Ingenium to the rescue! 43 3

A message from the Dean Prof Liezl van Dyk 2020 VISION “20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. Having 20/20 vision does not necessarily mean you have perfect vision. 20/20 vision only indicates the sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance.” American Optometric Association At the beginning of 2020 many individuals and institutions used the metaphor of 20/20-vision to describe their expectations for the year ahead. Most of them referred to 2020 as the year of perfect vision. This, however, turned out to be quite ironic, also in our Faculty and at our Institution. Initially we were not even able to see one day ahead of the other. Following the definition of the American Optometric Association above, namely that “having 20/20 vision does not necessarily mean you have perfect vision. 20/20 vision only indicates the sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance”, we can ask ourselves what did the Faculty of Engineering actually see and how did we respond to it during 2020? In March 2020 the world as we knew it, turned on its head and we had to stop seeing our students. Literally overnight traditional face-to-face modules were converted into online learning, resulting in rapid education innovation. We also became closely involved with our students in ways never experienced before. In the height of the pandemic, we took care of the basic needs in collaboration with NWU-Thuso. Laptops and data were provided to students in need. Desktops from our computer labs were delivered to nearby residences for use by our students. The Medical Device Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing groups saw the need for a number of highly acclaimed engineering solutions to current problems and responded commendably by leveraging their expertise, capabilities and networks. Despite the fact that the graduation ceremony of 9 March 2020 was the last physical function for a long time, social distancing did not prevent us from facilitating and participating in excellent and innovative fashion in our Engineering Weeks for school learners, the annual Femmegineering event, more graduation ceremonies, our Annual Awards evening, many conferences and even the Engineering-without-borders-event. We continued with the appointment of new staff, witnessed the promotion of others, and celebrated the graduation of our students. Our undergraduate students completed the academic year and the research projects for most of our post graduate students are on track. Our vision to win the next Sasol Solar car challenge remains, although the event was postponed from September 2020 to February 2021. Even better as 20/20 sight, is hindsight. As I page through this publication, looking back on 2020, I am filled with gratitude and pride, knowing that the NWU Faculty of Engineering’s vision of changing the world for the better remains sharp and clear even at a distance and amidst exceptional challenges. I express my sincere appreciation to all colleagues, students and stakeholders for their continued support during 2020, despite all the challenges we faced. I look forward to 2021, knowing that a year from now we will celebrate changing the world even more, building on the knowledge we gained and the lessons learnt in 2020. 4

Brand new qualification in Mechatronic Engineering for the NWU The Faculty of Engineering at the mechatronics is to produce a design Our facilities and partners North-West University (NWU) is proud solution that unifies each of these to announce that we will be adding a various subfields. Originally, the field Our collaboration with industrial part- brand new engineering qualification of mechatronics was intended to be ners such as Siemens provides our to our existing range of programmes. nothing more than a combination of students with hands-on access to The Bachelor of Mechatronic Engi- mechanics and electronics, hence modern process-control equipment neering programme has been ap- the name being a portmanteau of me- in a brand-new industrial automation proved by the Engineering Council chanics and electronics. However, as laboratory. The NWU is also unique- of South Africa (ECSA) and will allow the complexity of technical systems ly positioned to equip graduates with graduates to compete internationally continued to evolve, the definition simulation software (Siemens NX and on the world stage. This programme was broadened to include more tech- MCD) and expertise to virtually de- will be offered as from 2021. nical areas. sign and commission designs. What is mechatronic engineering? What we offer In addition, the Industrial Automation Training Centre (IATC) in the faculty Mechatronic engineering, which is At the NWU we produce engineer- allows students to obtain a comple- also referred to as mechatronics, is a ing graduates that change the world. mentary bundle of industry certifica- multidisciplinary branch of engineer- Our mechatronics programme aims tions at highly reduced rates. This im- ing that focuses on the engineering to promote this ideal by providing proves the employability of graduates of electrical as well as mechanical much-needed skills in the industrial significantly. systems, and also includes a combi- automation space. Our programme is nation of robotics, electronics, com- unique in that it allows students to fo- Mechatronic engineering at the NWU puter, telecommunications, systems, cus on projects in the community that is not just about electronics, mea- control, and product engineering. develops medical devices (such as surement, control, embedded sys- intelligent prosthetics) or products in tems and mechanisms. It is a holistic As technology advances over time, the low-cost agri-processing domain. approach that combines expert do- various subfields of engineering The latter is especially important to main knowledge and the latest tech- have succeeded in both adapting ensure a sustainable modern society nology to solve problems, now and in and multiplying. The intention of for everyone. the years to come. 5

NWU - FACULTY OF ENGINEERING WE DO NOT RUN FROM CHALLENGES – WE RUN INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN TOWARDS SOLUTIONS! The BEng programmes of the faculty are formulated to At the NWU Faculty of Engineering we change the meet not only the set requirements of the Engineering world for the better. We do this, first, by educating and Council of South Africa (ECSA), but also to equate developing exceptional engineers who can and want to internationally by means of the Washington Accord. change the world and, secondly, by finding answers to Member countries that ascribe to the Washington Accord current and future real-life challenges of our industries and include Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong communities, through our cutting-edge as well as applied China, India, Ireland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, research. We value our industry, academic and community Russian, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, partners, who enable us to develop relevant, sustainable, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States of multi-disciplinary solutions, as well as engineers with the America. ability and attitude to do the same. THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES Enrolments Females Graduates Enrolments Females Graduates 1 458.0 281.0 293.0 20.0 Bachelor’s Degree (480-NQF level 8) 103 24 252.0 1 434.0 23 3 Doctoral Degree 266 55 58 15 Master’ s Degree 27 94 95 241 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS How do I apply? Please refer to our website for online • Full matriculation exemption, with an APS score of at least 31 application. • Mathematics level 6 or higher (70% +) • Physical Sciences level 5 or higher (70% +) Money matters • Language level 5 or higher (60% +) – in the language of instruction The Bursary Office assists in the distribution of advertisements for various bursaries in the field of on either the Home or First Additional Language level engineering. For more information contact Claudie • For prospective engineers who do not quite meet the minimum Kroese at 018 288 1530 ([email protected]) or Angie Danster at 018 299 1985 (angie.danster@ requirements an optional engineering test may provide the nwu.ac.za). For additional financial support, please necessary entrance contact 018 299 2672. We want to hear from you Phone: 018 285 2453 Email: [email protected] (prospective students) [email protected] (faculty administrator) Web: http://engineering.nwu.ac.za/hello 6

CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH WITH MASTER OF THE FACULTY CONSISTS OF FOUR SCHOOLS ENGINEERING (MENG) WITH EIGHT UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES: • Chemical Engineering Chemical and Minerals Engineering • Computer and Electronic Engineering • Eng degree in Chemical Engineering • Electrical and Electronic Engineering • BEng degree in Chemical Engineering with Minerals • Industrial Engineering • Mechanical Engineering Processing • Nuclear Engineering • Development and Management Engineering Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering • BEng degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Master of Science in Engineering Sciences • BEng degree in Computer and Electronic Engineering (MSc): (fully research-based) • BEng degree in Electromechanical Engineering • BEng degree in Mechatronics Engineering • Chemical Engineering • Computer and Electronic Engineering Mechanical Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • BEng degree in Mechanical Engineering • Nuclear Engineering • BEng degree in Electromechanical Engineering Philosophiae Doctor in (PhD): Industrial Engineering • BEng degree in Industrial Engineering • Chemical Engineering • Computer Engineering RESEARCH CHAIRS • Computer and Electronic Engineering • Electronic Engineering • DST/NRF Chair in Coal Research (SARChi) • Electrical Engineering • DST/NRF Chair in Biofuels and Other Clean • Electrical and Electronic Engineering • Mechanical Engineering Alternative Fuels (SARChi) • Nuclear Engineering • DST/NRF Chair in Nuclear Engineering (SARChi) • Industrial Engineering • ESKOM EPPEI Specialisation Centre for Emission Postgraduate diplomas in Engineering: Control • Postgraduate Diploma in Nuclear Science and RESEARCH ENTITIES Technology (also with specialization in Nuclear Technology Management) • Centre of Excellence in Carbon-based Fuels • Unit for Energy and Technology Systems Short courses and training centre: • Multilingual Speech Technologies (MuST) • Siemens training centre HOSTED ENTITIES, PLATFORMS AND • Various short courses on integrated energy solutions INSTITUTES WOMEN IN ENGINEERING • DST HySA Infrastructure Centre of Competence in hydrogen production, storage, reticulation and safety The aim of the Women in Engineering programme is to codes and standards increase the number of female engineers who are available for industry to employ, to bring about gender equality in • DTI Centre for Advanced Manufacturing the workplace, and to provide fresh perspectives on the • Med-e-Hive problems faced in industry. The objectives: to improve access to engineering studies for high school girls and to We work towards this aim in the following projects: inspire existing female engineering students to successfully complete and further their studies. • Femmegineering is a unique weekend course and exposure event presenting the different faces of engineering. • Modiragatsi: an innovation and problem solving competition aimed at high school girls, furnishing them with valuable skills. 7

An existing mechanical respirator being reverse-engineered to be used as an NWU engineers emergency ventilator rising to the Covid-19 challenge The world was faced with difficult workers. Products that were in high distribute these supplies to clinics times as the recent Covid-19 pan- demand included masks, test kits, and hospitals,” Prof Grobler explains. demic turned life as we know it, up- hand sanitisers, invasive ventilators, side down. A team at the Faculty of non-invasive ventilators, hospital She adds that the main project of the Engineering from the North-West beds and linen,” he said. team was to reverse-engineer the University (NWU), in collaboration BIRD Mark 7 or 8 mechanical respira- with other experts involved in this un- With these concerns in mind, the tor to allow it to be used as an emer- settling battle, rose to the challenge NWU team and its collaborators have gency ventilator. The team chose this to support our government in its fight developed products to relieve the particular device due to its ability to against the Covid-19 pandemic. healthcare system and the healthcare work without electricity, since it is workers who were in the front line, powered by air, a characteristic that is These behind-the-scenes heroes risking infection as they strived to crucial in South Africa. The aim was are the medical device development deal with this pandemic. Various offi- to produce an open-source 3D-print- team in the Faculty of Engineering. cials in the Potchefstroom healthcare able version of the BIRD mechanical The team recently joined forces with system have requested face shields, ventilator. The team also updated the Central University of Technolo- as there was a shortage. The NWU some parts to conform to the current gy (CUT) and the Vaal University of team, led by Mr CP Kloppers, manu- minimum specifications listed by the Technology (VUT) in this endeavour. factured and distributed face shields World Health Organisation. They also interface with the Covid Ag- free of charge to health workers in the ile Manufacturing Solution Response area around Potchefstroom. “These “It was encouraging to have wit- Team – a number of well-placed face shields were provided as an ad- nessed the collaboration and cama- stakeholders in the rapid manufactur- ditional layer of protection to be worn raderie developed among peers from ing space who meet online on a daily over existing masks and goggles, different institutions and disciplines in basis and aim to develop urgent prod- since they cover the whole face of the this crisis. Relationships of this nature ucts that can be utilised by our health- healthcare professional with a trans- between various university teams, care system. The team includes indi- parent material,” Prof Grobler says. clinicians and the industry normally viduals from academic institutions, would have taken years to foster, but the rapid manufacturing industry, and Beds for temporary hospitals or quar- now – united against a common en- a number of doctors. antine sites were conceptualised with emy, working towards to a common Prof Leenta Grobler, one of our own the help of NWU engineering stu- good – these timelines have been ac- experts at the NWU, also forms part dents who reported for voluntary duty. celerated, as extreme measures were of the steering committee of the team. called for,” Prof Grobler concludes. According to the South African Minis- “The national Department of Health ter of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, South has also rung the alarm bells on the Africa has an already strained health- dramatic shortage of ventilators in the care system, and if we did not take international and national health sys- the Covid-19 pandemic seriously, the tems and our team has investigated system would have been overbur- this field with significant vigour. There dened. were not enough ventilators available in hospitals or from any supplier for “At first, South Africa did not have all the potential patients who have enough medical supplies and per- been struck by the virus. Our group, sonal protection equipment (PPE) to in active collaboration with CUT, have protect the nation and the healthcare worked tirelessly to manufacture and 8 NWU engineers are manufacturing these face shields by making use of 3D printing technology

International endorsement for NWU’s nuclear technology management The NWU’s researchers and academics in nuclear Managing nuclear technology efficiently engineering have shown that the university’s expertise and academic offerings in the field are in line with the best Nuclear engineering seeks to find solutions to the world’s international standards. This is the case with the NWU’s energy challenges. In the quest to find sustainable and newly internationally endorsed master’s programme in cleaner electricity, nuclear energy is an alternative to fossil nuclear engineering. fuels that contribute to large-scale pollution. Specialising in nuclear technology management, the Globally and locally, nuclear projects need to meet the right programme was officially accredited by the International standards to ensure safety – whether in the development, Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 15 May. This also construction or installation stages. This is where effective means that the NWU has received membership of the nuclear technology management comes into play. International Nuclear Management Academy (INMA). Prof van Niekerk says although many managers in the Being a milestone for the Faculty of Engineering, the sector have technical backgrounds and are experts in the programme is recognised for the next four years as an field, they may not all have management experience. INMA master’s programme. “The ideal is to recruit candidates with expert nuclear Researcher Prof Frikkie van Niekerk says the NWU was or radiation knowledge. The programme provides one of the first universities to apply for accreditation. The nuclear-specific education not only to managers but also process started in 2017 with a successful audit by an stakeholders, regulators, government, construction and INMA assessment team that year and concluded with a technical staff.” recent audit in January this year. He says the programme will help participants to develop “To ensure that the programme continues to adhere to an understanding of nuclear power technology, nuclear the highest standards, the NWU is expected to submit project management, safety, liability, licensing, financing an annual status report to the INMA annual meeting. The and human resources. university will also share its experience of implementing the INMA-endorsed master’s programme with other INMA “It enhances informed decision-making and effective members in order to continue developing and sharing its management processes that could improve the safety, high-quality nuclear management education material. performance and economics of the nuclear industry as a whole.” The faculty has been a trailblazer in nuclear engineering. In 2005, the NWU became the first university in Africa to Students who specialise in technology management gain present a master’s and PhD in nuclear engineering, and is a broad base of expertise which prepares them for a range currently the only South African university offering a PhD of engineering careers in the private and academic science in nuclear engineering,” Prof van Niekerk says. sectors. It is an ideal programme for students in the BEng, BSc (Physics and Hons Physics) and BTech fields. 9

Our hope lies in the power of our people There is a saying in Tibetan: “Tragedy should be utilised NWU is a shareholder. In close collaboration with CFAM as a source of strength. No matter what sort of difficulties, Technologies, the need for food supplies was addressed how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our on a huge scale by the committee. real disaster.” “CFAM Technologies specialises in the manufacturing of This quote by the Dalai Lama XIV has perhaps never been extruders. Using these complex machines involves the more fitting than in the turbulent times in which we find process of cooking raw material (such as maize meal) in ourselves these days. When one finds people teaming up, an extruder at high pressure and heat to produce a cooked, displaying a sincere willingness to help and sharing their dry product within seconds. Due to the rapid cooking pro- expertise, we create the type of hope that can overcome cess, the digestibility, nutrient absorption and palatability anything. This was the case with residents in Potchefst- of the product are promoted. The main advantage of ex- room, as approximately 65 000 people were in dire need trusion is that vitamins and nutrients can be added to the of food support due to the lockdown associated with the dry final product after the cooking process. By simply add- Covid-19 pandemic. ing water or milk to this dry product, a healthy, nutritious and vitamin-based instant porridge can be served. As lit- Potchefstroom is known as the city of expertise, and res- tle as 50 grams of dry porridge, mixed with water or milk, idents, business owners, students, academics, the local is equivalent to a meal. One 5 kg bag of the dry product business chamber and the JB Marks Municipality joined can therefore produce 100 meals,” says Prof LJ Grobler, hands to provide immediate relief to those who needed it director of CFAM Technologies. the most. CFAM, with the assistance of volunteers and the busi- A disaster relief committee was established to provide ness community, has produced more than four million assistance to some 13 000 households in the Potchefst- dry porridge meals during the Covid-19 pandemic. “It is room area who were earning no income during the nation- overwhelming to experience the commitment from various al lockdown. role players who rolled up their sleeves to help others in need. With everyone’s collaboration, we were able to offer Students and staff from the North-West University’s Fac- real-time solutions,” stated Johan Janse van Rensburg of ulty of Engineering burnt the midnight oil to assist wher- the local Potchefstroom Business Chamber. According to ever they can. Years of research and development of ex- statistics from April 2020, some 65 000 residents in the trusion technology at the NWU have resulted in the birth Potchefstroom area have very little access to food or a of a spin-off company, CFAM Technologies, in which the means of earning an income. “We as the chamber of commerce, with the help of Reverend Wil- lem Louw from the Potchefstroom Church Leaders (PCL), took it upon ourselves to coordinate the detailed distribution of food in the community in order to make sure that the right persons and families benefit from this initiative. This is a crisis that will have an enormous effect and we now need everyone’s collaboration and help. It was our aim to ensure that we get the Thousands of meals are being produced per day which will be distributed to the Potchefstroom community

quired and much more needs to be done and donated in order to prevent a catastrophic situation. As another initiative, the NWU team of engineers, stu- dents and their collaborators have developed products to relieve the healthcare system and the healthcare workers who are on the front line, risking infection as they strive to deal with this pandemic. Various officials in the Potchefst- room healthcare system have requested face shields, as there was a shortage. Therefore, the local team manufac- tured and distributed face shields free of charge to health workers in the area surrounding Potchefstroom. Rossouw van der Merwe (Alumni of NWU, Director of Jericho “These face shields were provided as an additional layer Systems in Potchefstroom), Prof. Johann Holm and Prof. Johan of protection to be worn over existing masks and goggles, Rens lending a hand during the production of the dry porridge. since they cover the whole face of the healthcare profes- sional with a transparent material,” Prof Leenta Grobler, food to the persons in need as quickly as possible, and the team leader, says. we wanted to ensure that the persons distributing the food were not exploiting this initiative for political or any other NWU students who reported for voluntary duty are con- gain,” Janse van Rensburg said. ceptualised a model to be able to design beds for tempo- rary hospitals or quarantine sites. This team’s priority is to As the production and distribution of food on such a large reverse-engineer an existing mechanical respirator to be scale involves thousands of rands, the committee has used as an emergency ventilator. This device was chosen launched a fund and invites individuals, private and public due to its ability to work without electricity. The aim is to entities at local and international level to donate money to produce an open-source 3D-printable version of the me- provide these families with food. All funds are managed by chanical ventilator. the Potchefstroom Business Chamber. “Our involvement here is the embodiment of the vision of Roughly, an amount of R65 000 per day was needed to the NWU’s Faculty of Engineering, where we change the provide these households with the necessary food. Many world for the better by finding answers to the current and private and public enterprises have already opened their future real-life challenges of our industries and communi- wallets, and every single donation or contribution is great- ties through our cutting-edge and applied research. We ly appreciated. However, the challenge is that, in order value our industry, academic and community partners, to sustain these efforts, a regular stream of income is re- who enable us to develop relevant, sustainable, multidisci- plinary solutions, as well as engineers with the ability and attitude to do the same. In times like these, we see it as a crucial need,” says the faculty dean, Prof Liezl van Dyk. The dry porridge can be mixed with water or milk to offer a nutritious and vitamin-enriched meal 11

How to resolve coronavirus food shortages 12 LJ Grobler with the first food auto bank from CFAM Technologies.

Left: This bulk-capacity food bank was developed to handle food shortages with the aid of a coupon system. It is no secret that millions of South with a pin number countries, all maize meal and other Africans currently suffer under the im- on their cellphones raw, starchy meal that is for sale on pact of the lockdown regulations in- and key this in on shelves must be fortified with addi- troduced because of the coronavirus the digital keypad of tional nutrients and vitamins. pandemic. The poor access to food the food auto bank to is probably the biggest tragedy, be- gain access to a bag However, the problem is that when cause millions of citizens do not know of dry porridge. “Sev- ordinary meal is cooked in the tra- where their next meal is coming from. eral organisations in ditional manner, the vitamins it con- the Potchefstroom tains are broken down and destroyed A Potchefstroom engineering com- area have already by the high heat during the cooking pany, CFAM Technologies, a spin- been helping to sup- process. Extruder technology offers a off company of the Faculty of Engi- ply needy persons solution here, as the vitamins and nu- neering of the North-West University, with food for several trients are added to the cooked, dry grabbed the proverbial bull by the weeks. This initiative is a new and product. horns to ensure that residents in and easy way of doing this. The amount around this town do not go hungry of free porridge for which every needy The mechanics of this food auto any longer. resident qualifies, is quantified by a bank, the coupon software and the database that contains information control system were developed and CFAM is currently the only manufac- on every needy resident and their de- built by CFAM within a single week. turer of twin-screw extruders in Afri- pendents. The database is updated “This food auto bank is not just a ca and specialises in a process in and verified on a daily basis by mem- solution for food shortages during the which raw materials like maize meal bers of the Potchefstroom Chamber coronavirus period, but also offers a are cooked at high pressure and heat of Commerce, local churches, com- sustainable solution for dealing with in an extruder to produce a cooked, munity leaders and administrative famine in South Africa and Africa,” dry product within a few seconds. Be- staff,” says Grobler. Grobler says. cause of the rapid cooking process, the digestibility and absorption of nu- The validity of the coupon is regu- Just in the areas around Potchefst- trients by and palatability of the prod- lated in real time, which means that room, approximately 16 500 people uct to the human body are enhanced. crowding at a particular distribution do not have access to food at this point can be prevented. For example, stage. The first food auto bank was According to LJ Grobler, Professor in the coupon can indicate that it is valid recently installed in Potchefstroom. Mechanical Engineering, NWU, the only between 08:00 and 10:00. This biggest benefit of extrusion is that vi- helps to accomplish social distancing Award winning project tamins and nutrients can be added to and exposure to the coronavirus. the dry final product after the cooking The CFAM Porridge Project repre- process. “Merely adding water or milk A further benefit is that it eliminates sented one of the most innovative to this powdery, dry product makes the logistical nightmare of delivering feeding schemes in South Africa and this food ready to eat, offering a bal- food parcels in rural areas, as the was recently nominated globally as anced meal,” Grobler says. food auto bank has the capacity to one of six such innovations of which dispense up to 250 000 meals before the media took note. More than 9 However, CFAM took their innovation it has to be refilled. This also elimi- million meals have already been pro- to a higher level and recently devel- nates corruption with respect to fa- duced since March 2020. oped their first food auto bank. It con- vouritism and prevents food from be- sists of a recycled shipping container ing stolen. As the dry porridge is not The project received recognition from that is filled with this dried porridge exposed to any human factor during Rotary International for the substan- and placed in a strategic location in a manufacturing, this method of distrib- tial contribution to humanitarian and residential area. Residents can then uting food also eliminates possible educational programmes. The prize is receive or buy an electronic coupon food contamination. titled the “Paul Harris Fellow”, named after Rotary’s founder, a Chicago Food can therefore be distributed fair- lawyer, who started the organisation ly according to need and no cash is in 1905. involved, as the food can be obtained only via an electronic coupon. Prominent recipients include Moth- er Teresa, President Jimmy Carter, Grobler says the dry porridge is for- Boris Yeltsin, US astronaut James tified mainly with zinc and vitamin C, Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier which help the immune system to fight Perez de Cuellar, and the polio vac- viruses and bacteria and promote cine developer Jonas Salk. Locally, physical development and growth. Prof Thuli Madonsela has received As is provided by legislation in most more than one such fellowship.

Centre of Excellence in Carbon-based Fuels hosts symposium in renewable and sustainable energy The Renewable Energy Postgrad- sustainable and renewable energy to Presentations were from various insti- uate Symposium (REPS) is an an- the international energy mix to keep tutions, including the North-West Uni- nual event hosted by the Centre for the impact of global warming below versity, Stellenbosch University, Uni- Renewable and Sustainable Energy the level of 2 C. She also explained versity of Fort Hare, Vaal University Studies at Stellenbosch University for the role that load shedding plays in of Technology, Nelson Mandela Met- postgraduate students working in any stabilising South Africa’s electricity ropolitan University and the Council of the fields of renewable and sus- grid and the need for each individual for Scientific and Industrial Research tainable energy. to use electricity more efficiently and (CSIR). A total of 88 attendees joined sparingly in our everyday lives. the virtual symposium, including post- The symposium allows young re- graduate students (45%), study su- searchers to present and share their The virtual nature of the symposium pervisors (33%), other interested ac- research work in a less intimidating challenged students to develop new ademics (19%) and representatives environment. skills in presenting their work to a from industry (3%). Demographically, broader virtual audience. Fifty-three 42% of the postgraduate students This year, the 11th Renewable Ener- postgraduate students presented were from previously disadvantaged gy Postgraduate Student Symposium high-quality research papers on solar backgrounds, and 38% were female. (REPS2020) was hosted virtually energy, wind energy, advanced bio- by the Centre of Excellence in Car- fuels, biogas, bio-based chemicals The symposium was well received bon-based Fuels of the Faculty of En- and polymers, and the integration overall by the attending audience, gineering at the North-West Universi- of renewable energy into South Afri- with valuable feedback being given to ty (NWU) on 21 September 2020. ca’s electricity grid. Presentations on students on their work. Although virtu- clean coal technologies and carbon al conferences can never replace the Dr Karen Surridge-Talbot (Centre capture and storage technologies en- one-on-one interactions so critical to Manager: Renewable Energy Centre visaged a path to help ease South Af- building lasting collaboration relation- of Research and Development (RE- rica’s transition from a coal-powered ships, they do provide an opportunity CORD/SANEDI)) gave a broad over- economy to a green-powered econo- to lower the cost (travel and subsis- view of both the global and local ener- my that incorporates a wide variety of tence) of high-level conference atten- gy situations in her keynote address. alternative energy solutions. dance for postgraduate students and She specifically highlighted the ne- young researchers. cessity to expand the contribution of 14

HySA at the NWU During the presentation of the budget vote of the accordance with the required human capital development Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in the strategy, is also included. National Assembly on 24 July 2020, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, HySA consists of three centres of competence – HySA highlighted a number of flagship projects, also those Infrastructure, HySA Catalyst and HySA Systems. The dealing with Covid-19 challenges, including projects in HySA Infrastructure (hydrogen production, storage and which Hydrogen South Africa (HySA), as hosted by the delivery) Centre of Competence, HySA Infrastructure for NWU’s Faculty of Engineering, has been involved. short, is co-hosted by the North-West University (NWU) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research The Department of Science and Technology of South (CSIR), with Prof Dmitri Bessarabov as its director. Africa developed the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies (HFCT) Research, Development and HySA at the NWU has been operating in the research Innovation (RDI) Strategy. The national strategy was spaces associated specifically with hydrogen production branded Hydrogen South Africa (HySA). and storage, and is engaged in research ranging from fundamental research to specific demonstration projects. The overall goal of HySA is to develop and guide One of the successful projects, carried out in collaboration innovation along the value chain of hydrogen and fuel- with other HySA hubs, was the “Poelano High School cell technologies in South Africa. The overall vision of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Rural School Demonstration the HFCT RDI strategy is to bring about wealth, jobs and Project”. intellectual property rights creation through the initiation of new high-technology industries based on minerals found “The most recent project that was mentioned by the on South African soil, especially platinum-group metals minister in which HySA at the NWU has been involved (PGMs). was the development of a remote pressure monitor (RPM) system for a hydrogen fuel-cell system installed at 1 Allied to this is the goal of developing a cost-competitive Military Hospital in Pretoria, and the supplying of “green” solution for generating hydrogen locally, focusing on hydrogen for fuel-cell testing under the contract with the using renewable energy. The supporting enabling goal DSI and the Bambili Group,” says Prof Bessarabov. of developing a range of high-level skills, generally in RPM (remote pressure monitor) developed by the HySA Hydrogen fuel-cell system being installed at 1 Military Centre of Competence at the NWU Hospital in Pretoria by the Bambili Group 15

Dire need for research to improve child It is no secret that language development is a Hanlie Degenaar, a speech-language therapist critical part of a child’s overall development. Sadly, from the NWU with a special interest in early the lack of this development and the terrible effects communication intervention, says the language this may have on one’s life are often overlooked. environment in which a child is submerged is the determining factor for optimal language and Prof Leenta Grobler, leader of the Medical Device literacy development. Development group at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Engineering, and a team of “The language environment refers not only to the experts have made it their mission to delve deeper number of words and sentences the child hears; into research that may just equip parents and it also includes the non-verbal language such caregivers with the right tools to raise children into as tone of voice, speech rate, and prosody. It is adults who can perform to the unreserved best of imperative for the adult to treat the child as a true their abilities. conversational partner. Therefore, by teaching parents, caregivers and early childhood educators Prof Grobler says that increasing evidence both how and why to have conversations with a from the fields of neuroscience, psychology child, they can set children on a pathway towards and communication pathology reveals that literacy, educational success and well-being,” self-regulation, communication-interaction and says Hanlie. executive function are critical capabilities adults need to be resilient, perform, and contribute The most rapid period of brain growth and the optimally to economic vitality. Science is explicitly highest plasticity occur in the first two to three directing the world’s attention to the crucial period years of life. During this period, rapid rates of up to three years of age as the foundation for brain cell growth, differentiation, myelination and these adult capabilities. connectivity take place. A child’s brain can form up to 1 000 neural connections every second. It is “Early communication-interaction between a therefore obvious that these connections are the child and a caregiving adult is critical to the foundation of the child’s future. child’s development, health, and future academic performance. A rich language environment and According to research, neural connections shape the amount of turn-taking in conversation with the brain structures and pathways and stabilise children emerged as the best predictors of health, by age three, resulting in emotional and cognitive executive function, self-regulation and scholastic schemas that become the way the child responds skills development. The early conversations to the world. parents and caregivers have with young children are widely recognised as the scale-tipping factor in “Therefore, it is clear that the early years of a getting the best developmental outcomes, even in child’s life should include a high number of quality the face of adversity and the stresses of poverty,” conversations to utilise the excellent window of she says. opportunity provided by early brain development,” 16

Hanlie Degenaar. Prof Leenta Grobler adds Hanlie. meaningfully to the country. Alarmingly, it shapes a generation unable to pass along literacy to the The global Progress in International Reading generations to come. Literacy Study (PIRLS), which assesses children’s reading comprehension, has placed South African The team’s research initiative identified the need children last in 50 countries. The study concluded to develop an early childhood communication- that 78% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa interaction evaluation system. This will entail cannot read for comprehension in any national measuring a variety of factors to evaluate the language. Functional illiteracy is associated with quantity and quality of daily conversations risky behaviour, poor health, receiving welfare between a child and parent or caregiver. assistance, unemployment, violence, crime and incarceration. The proposed study is currently in the process of applying for funding in order to obtain the The results of the study point to eight out of every necessary resources and tools. ten nine-year-olds in South Africa currently being functionally illiterate. This number implies that the As one of the outcomes, the study plans to next generation will enter the workforce without the develop a platform that will empower and educate very basic skills needed to raise themselves out of healthcare providers, parents and caregivers poverty. It means a generation without the capacity to reflect upon their existing communication- to learn, to teach, to thrive and to contribute interaction habits and the effects of those habits. It will also assist in planning appropriate communication-interaction interventions. The current research team consists of Prof Grobler, principal investigator and responsible for software development, Dr Henri-Jean Marais, responsible for electronic development, and Hanlie, an expert in childhood communication- interaction in the Centre for Health and Human Performance. 17

NWU engineers create solution for school-based Covid-19 screening congestion Real-time data and screening records can be In the times in which we found viewed on a web portal. ourselves, adequate healthcare and the accompanying screening were, and still 18 are of the utmost importance to limit the spreading of the coronavirus. As the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, earlier announced that Grade 7 and Grade 12 learners would be able to return to schools came 1 June, the same risk-prevention priorities applied. The problem was that hundreds of learners have started to enter the gates of their particular schools every day, which caused huge congestion with regard to health screenings. The phased return to schools required the mandatory daily screening and listing of all people entering the premises. This process and its resulting records needed to be documented, and the records needed to be stored centrally and, when required, shared with or reported to health authorities. Very few schools had adequate capacity to thoroughly screen and upload the records and status of every learner who entered the school premises. However, engineers at the Faculty of Engineering of the North-West University once again came up with a sustainable solution to do this in a much faster and more reliable manner.

Each school can be provided with an entry-level smartphone, preloaded with the newly developed application, which makes Covid-19 screening and data capturing much easier and faster. According to Prof Leenta Grobler, QR codes as identification tokens • Temperature capturing project leader and specialist in health- and commercial off-the-shelf infrared • Mask verification related engineering innovations, their digital thermometers, with the data solution involved the digitalisation being gathered by a standard entry- “Identification uses an image stream of the screening and data-capturing level smart cell phone.” process. A screening and data- to read the QR code printed on the ID recording kit has been developed that An Excel-format list has been created involved that every person authorised for every school, containing every card. Temperature capturing utilises to enter a particular property was authorised person’s identification issued with an identification token, number, name and designation image processing of the seven- and that all points of entry were (grade and class, teacher, parent equipped with a recording station, or department) and an emergency segment display of the commercial which, among other things, housed contact number. This information a database, a token reader, a digital has been encoded by the NWU’s off-the-shelf infrared digital thermometer and a simple user engineering team as a QR code and interface that employs an Android- printed on an ID card, which were thermometer, and finally, a log is kept operated cell phone. provided to every learner. of whether a person reporting at the “This kit meant significant time Prof Grobler explained that once a savings for the education and work learner reaches the screening point, screening point has been issued with sectors, and had a radical impact the cell-phone application provided on lockdown screening protocols. the operator with three submenus: a mask or whether they are wearing Data capturing at Covid-19 health screening points were done by using • Identification their own,” she said. Once the record has been verified, the identification number, without the name or contact details, was stored in a cloud-based database, along with the temperature data and mask status. In the event of a temperature that was outside the band considered to be within “normal” limits, a warning message displayed on the phone and it was sent to the institution’s health and safety representative. The institution could view the data in real time on a web portal. Prof Grobler said they piloted the system at several local schools during the first week after schools re- opened. “We as engineers strive to change the world for the better, and slowly but surely we are getting there – one innovative idea at a time,” she said. 19

NWU engineers walk away with prestigious awards for tackling Covid-19 An initiative from the Faculty of statements encouraging African Covid-19 and beyond.” Engineering at the North-West countries to boost their healthcare University was honoured with local capabilities to meet the impending It is in this regard that the United and international awards for tackling surge in infections.” Nations Economic Commission the Covid-19 pandemic. for Africa and its partners invited Adam stated that Africa traditionally researchers, firms, public and private According to Jean-Paul Adam of depends on external supplies of development agencies, government the United Nations Africa Innovation medical equipment, diagnostic leaders, innovators, youths and and Investment Forum, the novel reagents and tools, protective development partners to showcase coronavirus is threatening to undo the gear and medicines. “With a global their innovations at the first Africa hard-earned health, economic and scramble for limited medical supplies, Innovation and Investment Forum social development gains that Africa Africa may have to turn inwards. The 2020. The focus of the forum was on has registered since 2000. continent may need to leverage the Covid-19, and it took place from 15 to limited technology and innovation 19 June 2020. “Covid-19 has overrun the well- capabilities and harness and resourced healthcare systems of stimulate its full entrepreneurial talent According to Prof Leenta Grobler, some developed and developing to respond, deepen national and project leader and specialist in health- countries, and several organisations, regional supply chains and optimise related engineering innovations, their including the World Health global knowledge partnerships Covid-19 screening solution involves Organisation, have issued cautionary to meet the challenges posed by the digitalisation of the screening 20

Prof Leenta Grobler Dr Henri Marais. and data-capturing process. It was engineering team as a QR code and Our experts were also awarded for initiatives like these that saw printed on an ID card, which can be locally during the Gauteng Prof Grobler, her colleague Dr Henri provided to every learner. Accelerator Programme (GAP) Marais and their team being awarded. Innovation competition. In the medical The UN’s Innovation Challenge 2020 innovations category, Hannes Malan “TjopTjop is a mobile app-based identified and showcased some of the from the NWU’s Technology, Transfer system that conveniently collects and top technologies and innovations from and Innovation Support Office along stores the health vitals of students, across Africa and beyond, explored with Prof Leenta Grobler and Dr Henri learners, staff and customers without investment and market needs and Marais received a second place for the paper work. It saves considerable identified business opportunities. their remote ventilator monitoring time and effort at screening points, system, which enables hospitals stores data safely off site and relays The NWU’s TjopTjop initiative came and health professionals to monitor or reports selected data packets to out top of its class. “In the category diverse fleets of hospital equipment designated addressees. It requires of ‘contact tracing’, we would like to remotely from a single display dash basic electronic thermometers and congratulate Prof Leenta Grobler and board. It is expected to provide smartphones that are commonly her team for the excellent innovation significant breakthroughs for future available. It currently operates on that they presented. It is wonderful to health pandemic situations. Android phones, but the Apple- see Africa responding to the Covid-19 app version is already under challenges,” Adam said. This competition aimed to 'bridge the development.” gap' by providing seed funding and She was over the moon about development support to entrepreneurs An Excel-format list can be receiving the award for the TjopTjop working on novel technologies which created for participating schools, initiative! “It is a great honour to positively impact society and improve containing every authorised person’s receive this recognition from such a the efficiency of government service. identification number, name and prestigious organisation. We tried designation (grade and class, our best to do our part in helping us A huge thank you to Mr Malan, Prof teacher, parent or department) and all to get back to school and back to Grobler, Dr Marais and their team an emergency contact number. This business and move towards a post- members for flying the faculty’s flag information is encoded by the NWU's Covid-19 world.” high! 21

Nothing artificial about their expertise A small research group at the North-West University (NWU) is starting to attract real interest for their work on artificial intelligence (AI). “The amount of interest has come According to Prof Davel, the results neural networks to create complex, as something of a surprise,” says presented form part of a series of layered models of the world, and are Prof Marelie Davel, who – with PhD papers currently being produced by behind many of the recent successes student Tian Theunissen – recently MuST, a research group that studies in AI. travelled to New York, USA, to machine learning at the NWU’s present their latest findings at the Faculty of Engineering. Even though these techniques have highly regarded conference of the been shown to be very successful in Association for the Advancement of Together with Prof Etienne Barnard practice, they are difficult to analyse Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), AAAI- and their postgraduate students, and understand. Design choices are 2020. This annual event is one of she works on both the theory and based on heuristics rather than solid the flagship conferences of the AI applications of machine learning, and theory, often resulting in researchers community and attracts thousands of especially of deep learning. These are having to create hundreds of researchers from across the globe. learning methods that utilise artificial thousands of networks in the search 22

for a good model. the 2019 Turing Award winners (Profs multi-agent systems, statistical Geoffrey Hinton, Yann LeCun and learning and deep learning. The This is one of the main questions that Yoshua Bengio) and the Nobel Prize conference encouraged work that cut MuST is now tackling: probing the winner Daniel Kahneman. across technical areas, or developed ability of these networks to generalise, AI techniques in the context of in other words, not only to memorise The only let-down of the conference important application domains what they have been shown, but was the noticeable absence of such as healthcare, sustainability, being able to predict what will happen about 800 Chinese delegates, transportation and commerce. in novel situations. who were, sadly, unable to travel to the conference due to concerns More about the experts Sharing with international peers regarding the Covid-19 virus. They presented their papers via recorded Prof Marelie Davel is a research The work presented at AAAI-2020 video instead, or had their posters set professor at the NWU specialising describes a new perspective for up unattended. in machine learning, and specifically understanding and viewing the in deep learning. She holds a PhD internal workings of a deep neural Work that cuts across technical in electronic engineering from network. It was co-authored by Prof areas the University of Pretoria. Prior to Davel, Prof Barnard and Tian, and joining the NWU, she was a principal a second student, Arnold Pretorius. Founded in 1979, the AAAI is an researcher at the South African Since presenting the latest paper, international, non-profit, scientific Council for Scientific and Industrial the group has received a steady society devoted to promoting research Research. stream of enquiries with regard to the in AI and fostering scientific exchange published results. between researchers, practitioners, Prof Davel performs independent scientists, students and engineers in research, supervises postgraduate All the co-authors agree that it was AI and its affiliated disciplines. students and consults for clients from a privilege to be selected to present the government and industry. She is their work at AAAI-2020. This year, This year’s AAAI-2020 was the 34th the director of the MuST research the conference received a record 8 AAAI conference and involved the group, the Centre for AI Research 800 submissions, of which 7 737 were presentation of technical papers, (CAIR) group coordinator at the full academic papers. The conference invited speakers, workshops, NWU, and an NRF-rated researcher. has a notoriously low acceptance rate tutorials, poster sessions, senior Her current research focuses on (approximately 20% in 2020), with member presentations, competitions generalisation in deep learning. only 6% of papers selected for oral and exhibit programmes, all selected presentation. according to the highest standards. Prof Etienne Barnard holds a PhD AAAI-20 also included additional degree in electrical and computer The NWU paper was presented at programmes for students and young engineering from Carnegie Mellon both an oral and a poster session. researchers. University, and has been active in Tian explains how he enjoyed the research and development in pattern active engagement of conference The AAAI-2020 conference welcomed recognition and speech processing goers: “At 21:30 on the Sunday night submissions reporting research that for many years. He has held a number I was still answering questions from advances AI, broadly conceived. of academic and industry positions, people who were interested in our The conference scope included all holds international patents in speech poster. It is very encouraging to know subareas of AI and machine learning. processing, and is a past associate that our international peers are just as These included (but were not limited editor of the IEEE Transactions on curious about our work as we are.” to) traditional topics such as search, Neural Networks. planning, knowledge representation, A number of famous researchers were reasoning, natural language Prof Barnard’s research contributions speakers at the conference, including processing, robotics and perception, have been recognised in various ways, including with Google Research awards in 2009, 2011 and 2014. He is currently an extraordinary professor at the NWU. PhD student Tian Theunissen recently travelled to New York to present their latest findings at the highly regarded conference of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. 23

NWU Engineering reaches out to Itsoseng Women’s Project The Faculty of Engineering, in partnership with Dr Me- In addition, the engineering students expanded the linda du Toit from the Centre for Social Development legal advice centre’s consultation facilities. Added to in Africa (CSDA) at the University of Johannesburg this, they executed a pilot project that comprised the (UJ), reached out to the Itsoseng Women’s Project in transference of basic technical skills to the workers Drieziek extension, Orange Farm township to collab- at the recycling facility. One financially viable project orate with members and leaders of the community to that could potentially generate an income for people address challenges identified by the community. in the community was to construct dog kennels from recycled conveyor belts. The Itsoseng Women’s Project (IWP) was estab- lished 22 years ago by community activists Richard Although the FEAP programme, which was designed (Bricks) Mokolo and his wife, Gladys. to teach students to apply engineering principles to real-life challenges, ended in 2019, opportunities The IWP was developed primarily to offer communi- opened up to develop partnerships with other disci- ty members an opportunity to have access to a pre- plines and research institutions to engage in transfor- school and free paralegal ad- mative transdisciplinary proj- vice, and an option to earn a ects. One such partnership, small income through waste ”We at the CSDA are very excited which is foreseen to take ef- recycling. These initiatives about the prospect of collaborating fect in 2020, is a collaboration of the Mokolo couple provide with the Orange Farm community as with the CSDA at UJ. The ulti- community members with a a multidisciplinary, multi-institution- mate goal of this collaborative space where they are listened project is to design and imple- to and where they can rely on al team,” ment a psychosocial advice individuals who can advocate centre in Orange Farm. their pleas and concerns to the relevant authorities. The community engagement of the NWU’s Faculty of Engineering will therefore Engineering students who were enrolled in the Funda- focus on two main issues at Orange Farm. Firstly, mental Engineering Application Programme (FEAP) the faculty will continue to develop a technical main- were divided into groups of six students each. Their tenance team to maintain the school, the advice assignment involved the planning, designing and ex- centres, the recycling facility and the food-garden- ecuting of an engineering project. The aim of each ing project. Such a technical maintenance team can of these FEAP projects was to assist in addressing ensure that the existing infrastructure, as well as fa- challenges faced by their real-life “clients”. The IWP cilities developed by previous FEAP groups, can be in Orange Farm was one of the beneficiaries and a technically maintained and operated independently real-life client of groups of FEAP students. of contractors. This technical maintenance team will also be empowered to start manufacturing products “Since 2016, when our involvement at IWP started, that could potentially generate additional income for we have already reconstructed access doors, and set the IWP. The manufactured products will be designed up a rainwater collection system, a vegetable tunnel by staff and students of the NWU. and an irrigation system for their food-gardening proj- ect,” says Hannes du Toit, project manager of com- Added to the above training and development of munity engagement at the Faculty of Engineering. 24

technical skills, it is anticipated that col- leagues from the Department of Eco- nomic Sciences from the NWU and UJ will also become involved in this multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary endeavour by presenting training and workshops in business and manage- ment skills. Secondly, the students from the faculty will, as part of their community engage- ment projects, work in collaboration with a behaviour modification and neuropsy- chology team of the CSDA to design and implement a programme to improve learners’ study competencies and moti- vation. The focus of this study-enhance- ment programme will be directed specif- ically at heightening attainment levels in Mathematics and Physical Sciences. “The performance in Mathematics and Physical Sciences is directly influenced by ability, personality and study orienta- tion. Study orientation is influenced by study attitude, learning anxiety, study habits, problem-solving, study milieu and information processing. With the study-enhancement programme at the Siyakuzwa psychosocial advice centre we hope to address these study-orien- tation factors through mentoring and a study-buddy programme in collabo- ration with the NWU engineering stu- dents. The focus of this mentoring and study-buddy programme will mainly be on engaging the engineering students in encouraging experimentation, pro- viding additional resources, providing additional practising opportunities, gam- ifying study content, and creating a safe relationship and partnership space to stimulate a positive study orientation. We at the CSDA are very excited about the prospect of collaborating with the Orange Farm community as a multidis- ciplinary, multi-institutional team,” says Melinda du Toit. The students and community members during their engineering project. They addressed challenges faced by their real-life “clients” 25

NWU engineers tutor prospective students Life can be difficult for Grade The online tutorials were presented subject-by-subject basis to have 11 and 12 learners who have to by a team of dedicated postgraduate ensured consistency and quality. master challenging subjects such master’s-degree students. They as mathematics in their final years are Chemical Engineering students The classes were presented in both in high school. It can even be more Winroe Meyer, Cara Prinsloo English and Afrikaans. Learners trying when a coronavirus pandemic and Caitlin van der Merwe, and used laptops, desktop computers and its resulting lockdown are added Mechanical Engineering students and smartphones to connect through to the mix. Johan de Beer and Berno Laubscher. the internet and access tutorials and learning material. Because mathematics is essential for Caitlin, who was also the project a career in the engineering sciences, coordinator, says classes were App and guide promote self- the NWU’s Faculty of Engineering adjusted as the needs of the learners learning joined an initiative to assist learners changed. “The number of tutoring though online tutorial classes. sessions were increased during Learners could also access lockdown and decreased once additional resources such as the The faculty joined forces with schools started again. This was done TouchTutor® self-learning guide and the Govan Mbeki Mathematics in the best interests of learners and to the MobiTutorZa app on the tutorial Development Centre (GMMDC)* to prevent learning fatigue.” platform. help learners master crucial maths skills and concepts that will form the The tutorials were done on the Zoom Through the TouchTutor® self- basis for further university studies. online platform that provided a safe learning guide learners discovered space for learners to ask questions, how uncomplicated and effective self- “We aimed to provide our prospective do mathematics and receive help learning could be. The guide helped students, in particular matrics, with from tutors at any time. them to focus their study efforts, online tutorial classes,” says Prof record their results, plot their progress Liezl van Dyk, executive dean of the All the tutors were trained by the and reflect on their successes and faculty. “Our primary purpose was GMMDC. They used the study challenges as they worked through not to replace the school system, but material of the Department of Basic the various topics. to help the engineers of tomorrow Education’s national Curriculum to understand and enjoy this very Assessment Policy Statements The guide consisted of reference important subject.” (CAPS) curriculum. The CAPS material, important terms and curriculum gave teachers detailed definitions, exercises, a record and a Online expertise points the guidelines on what to teach and reflect page for each topic. way assess on a grade-by-grade and 26

MobiTutorZa is an Android app that is Passion and available in the Playstore. It is CAPS- knowledge curriculum-related and learners can do self-tests and receive results that contain = feedback. It also offers language support innovation in eight indigenous languages. The app can be used to improve maths and science You will find innovation for new ideas, projects abilities and learners can sign up for and devices in abundance at the North-West monthly challenges. University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Engineering – and the same applies when it comes to Reaping the rewards three students in Computer and Electronic Engineering. The online tutorials have been lifelines for learners, as is evident from their feedback. From left are Izak Adendorff, Gerno Visser and Duhan Janse van Rensburg. “It has helped me a lot during the difficult circumstances brought on by the Izak Adendorff, Gerno Visser and Duhan Janse van lockdown. I can determine exactly with Rensburg were merely looking for something to do over the which chapters of mathematics but also 2019 December holidays when they came up with the idea of physical science I struggle,” says Juané for building a unique 3D printer. In the nature of things these Rabie from Hoërskool Goudveld. “I now three do not attempt anything half-heartedly. have the opportunity to revise specific It all started with a question: “So, what are we doing in the chapters and work on exam questions. December holidays?”. Gerno, a second-year engineering These are explained step by step by the student, responded immediately and suggested that they tutors to help us to fully understand them.” build a 3D printer from scratch. This initiative then developed Juané says the tutoring project means a lot into a fully functioning CoreXY three-dimensional printer to her because it gives her the opportunity designed for business and industrial use. to understand the work as a whole better. “We were not satisfied with the quality and specifications of “I believe this will contribute to better the available printers. All three of us have different printers, achievements in the final exams.” each with its own weaknesses. We decided to build a printer that could improve on all these weaknesses and could still Caitlin Swartbooi from Daniel Pienaar be upgraded easily in the future,” says Gerno, 2th7e chief Technical High School says the tutoring lessons have allowed her to revise the work that she has done and also helped her to continue with the curriculum during lockdown. “The lessons have been amazing and I enjoy them a lot. I believe this has given me an advantage over the rest of the pupils in my class because the new work we now do in class is actually revision to me.” She says the tutoring lessons made her more optimistic about writing the final exams at the end of the year. “I appreciate the tutors giving up their time to help me during this difficult time.” “The tutoring project helped me a lot during lockdown. I would not have known what to do without it. It kept my academic boat afloat,” says Reuben van Tonder of the Hoërskool Hans Strijdom. Prof Van Dyk says although the NWU’s initial agreement with the GMMDC to present the online tutorials came to an end in July, the university entered the next phase of the project, which will be extended until the end of the academic school year.

designer. “We chose the CoreXY Gerno lives out his passion for building style as it has fewer moving radio-controlled aeroplanes with parts, and it is therefore possible the devices that he builds. “I have to print parts faster and at a higher already built my own drone, which I speed.” am developing further.” However, the process of building a Hobbies are something that these Every one of these young men has a 3D printer is not a simple one. After three students have in common. sound knowledge of and background Gerno designed the printer with Between the three of them they have in the building of devices, but there software, the team could already built many devices on an individual was still a learning curve involved print plastic parts with their existing level to meet the basic needs in their in the development of this 3D 3D printers, and the rest of the parts own lives. printer. Patience, tolerance and were imported from China. communication with people were Duhan built a central locking system skills that these three acquired in the “We waited almost two months before for his car, as well as a submersible end. “I gained much knowledge about we received all the parts from China. pump that he can control with his interacting with people and systems Eventually Gerno could assemble cell phone. “I would like to become to make the whole process of finding the new printer at the beginning of involved in product development and buying parts cheaper and more January. By the middle of January we in the automotive industry, not only effective,” says Izak. “Design and showed the first version to the faculty,” because of my love for cars, but also practice do not always work out in the says Izak, the project manager and because I think that there is still room way that you planned,” says Duhan, supplier of the parts. for improvement in an industry that is and he is grateful that he could use still growing every year,” he says. this opportunity to hone many of his These three engineering students skills. are still working on the printer to find Izak is of the opinion that his genes possible faults and repair them. Most are not programmed to sit still: “Since This team of engineering students of the items that are now printed by I could walk I have disassembled wants to encourage other students the team are the printer’s own parts, devices to use them in another way, to devote their attention to their with the improvements that they made of to reassemble them.” He has knowledge and passions in their themselves. “The lack of quality of the already built devices like a PACMAN spare time. “Visit websites like www. parts was our main problem,” says watch and a Wi-Fi jammer. “The Wi- instructables.com and be inspired to Duhan, the co-designer. Fi jammer was initially made just to learn something new,” says Izak. measure the strength of WiFi signals, Another problem the team but later on additional functions were What initially was a hobby in a encountered was funding. “It is difficult added to ensure network security.” December holiday, became a valuable to attempt such a project when you service that the team can now provide are a student and you have to pay to the public. This team is working at for everything yourself. Fortunately full speed to print various items on expertise was no problem. I could not demand for the public. ask for better people on my team,” says Izak. 28

Get ready, get set… Go! The NWU’s solar car, Naledi ii, is in the process to get ready for the next Sasol Solar Challenge. This, after the NWU’s Engineering students and lecturers have proven themselves over the past few years to be a team, who can build racing solar vehicles of world standard! In February 2021, South Africa will host more than 10 teams of promising young engineers from SA and around the world as they take on the challenge. Now in its 11th year, teams take on the challenge to develop, build and drive solar-powered cars, with the ultimate goal of covering the most distance without using a drop of fuel. It alternates with the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, and has hosted some of the world’s leading teams as they test their vehicles ahead of the global event. This year, the Sasol Solar Challenge takes on a unique format due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The NWU’s team will take to the Red Star Raceway near Delmas, Pretoria, and compete against others on the racetrack for five action-packed days. These competitive cars are about more than just solar energy and stacking up kilometeres. They have to be lightweight, aerodynamic, efficient and safe, and as a result, solar cars have become test beds for technology development the world over. According to Sasol, the 2021 track format is designed to keep participants and spectators safe during the global pandemic, and will bring teams from around the world together to test the boundaries of their technologies, as well as their personal endurance and resilience, on the track. The 2021 event will be broadcasted virtually due to COVID 19 regulations and takes place from 21 to 25 February 2021. Currently, the NWU’s solar car is still in the testing phase with certain components that needs to be replaced. Weight and drag are reduced in order to have more efficient energy consumption and thus travel a longer distance with the available solar energy over the range of the races. The master’s students in the team gain valuable experience in the effective use of renewable energy and are actively involved in the manufacture and design of the car. The potential of Naledi ii indicates that we can once again compete with the best in the world and the team is looking forward to the South African race in 2021. 29

Project launched in MASCCOM Training Centre We are living in times in which we are required to support Through this initiative the faculties are in actual fact our learners to acquire new ways of learning and the extending the NWU’s pipeline of students for university competencies needed for them to enter and be successful studies that require good pass marks in Mathematics and in their studies and careers in engineering. These are the sciences. challenging times in which we need to empower learners for the “new normal” to study and work in the Fourth Sponsored by the Nedbank Eyethu Community Trust, Industrial Revolution. the faculties have been collaborating with the North West Department of Basic Education and Nelson Mandela The Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Education University’s Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development at the North-West University (NWU) recently launched Centre (GMMDC) to establish a pilot programme to an initiative to reach out to “second-chance” Grade 12s empower learners from the MASCCOM Training Centre at the MASCCOM Training Centre in the Mahikeng area with the aid of the GammaTutor® and related technologies by establishing a techno-blended support programme developed by the GMMDC. The programme aims to to support the learners and teachers to improve the support “second-chance” learners to improve their learners’ achievement in Mathematics and the sciences, proficiency in Mathematics and the sciences. It also which are essential subjects when enrolling for a career aims to develop additional “soft” skills, which include in engineering and other so-called STEAM (Science, personal development, study skills and vocational skills Technology, Engineering, Art [design, problem-solving] that are essential for their future careers in the STEAM and Mathematics) fields. The MASCCOM centre, which environment. The training is furthermore not only aimed is located next to the Mahikeng Campus of the NWU, at helping learners, but also promotes the development offers a one-year “second-chance” Grade 12 programme of professional teachers through academic training and for Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences. support. Once established and assessed, the programme 30

can serve as model to be extended to and applied in other CAPS curriculum. areas, even for prospective university students in Grade Roll-out plan at MASCCOM 11 and Grade 12. “The goal of the collaboration is to address the challenges Since the roll-out of the pilot project, the MASCCOM that we are faced with in the STEAM fields. We need more Training Centre’s “second-chance” Grade 12 learners have students to enter the STEAM fields and that is what we had access to 60 Gamma devices at the centre, which are want to offer the MASCCOM learners – an opportunity to pre-installed with GammaTutor® software. Peripherals do well in their studies and to develop the necessary skills such as a mouse, HDMI-VGA adaptor, multi-plugs and to be very successful in their studies,” says Professor leads have also been provided, as will 60 HDMI digital Hercules Nieuwoudt of the NWU’s Faculty of Engineering. More on the GammaTutor® The GammaTutor® is a plug-and-play device that transforms any USB-accessible screen, TV or data projector into an instant presentation system. It works offline and does not require internet access, offers flexible access and user-friendly support and is stimulating and meaningful. The Gamma-assisted offline platforms developed by the GMMDC that are offered at the MASCCOM centre will facilitate the integration of interactive ICT (including the MobiTutorZA® smartphone app) and other materials for self-directed and CAPS-aligned teaching and learning of Mathematics and the sciences in the classroom, and also provide structured technology-assisted after-school peer learner support (TAPS). A cohort of MASCCOM Mathematics, Physical screens with built-in speakers. In addition, for preparation Sciences and Life Sciences teachers and and teaching purposes, teachers and facilitators have facilitators started training in August 2020 and access to 20 more Gamma packages and 15 webcams will continue to be trained and mentored with the aid of the for use with laptops. In view of the Covid-19 conditions, GammaTutor® software and support materials to deliver 220 sets of appropriate PPE comprising project-branded the curriculum effectively in classrooms and to provide masks and beanies have been provided too. technology-assisted after-school support. They will also be able to implement and sustain learner support over a The NMU-NWU Gamma team provided hands-on training distance during the current Covid-19 lockdown period and and support for teachers and students at the MASCCOM beyond. The GammaTutor® offers 24/7 personal offline school on 29 September 2020, which was followed up tutor support for selected learners, especially those who by a series of Zoom training sessions in October 2020 to are in need of additional assistance. eventually establish a professional learning network (PLN) of teachers and subject specialists, and technical support MobiTutorZA app and quality assurance. Another GMMDC-developed resource that will be available “Through this project, we will be training and educating at MASCCOM is the MobiTutorZA® smartphone app, future engineers, as well as training maths and science which is targeted at learners and is used for self-directed teachers to better equip them as successful educators. learning at school or home and for holiday schooling, This is an opportunity for the NWU's Faculty of Engineering as well as for revision and preparing for examinations. to expand our footprint in terms of engineering to our Learners can access GammaTutor®/TouchTutor® Mahikeng Campus, because we now have this pipeline,” material by downloading the app on their smartphones. It says Prof Liezl van Dyk, executive dean of the Faculty of is an Android-based app and is available in the Play Store. Engineering. One of the main uses of the app is to provide curriculum support, and learners can download past papers and memos and do self-tests that are consistent with the 31

Teaching and learning go online as NWU takes education to people The Covid-19 pandemic has He explained that, as teaching- forged in fire if due care is taken in the fundamentally disrupted teaching- learning is key to the core business process of forging.” learning activities in South Africa and of the NWU, the need to support across the globe. It also challenges our students is greater than ever. A He says the leadership (deans, and how we think about education and related need, in enabling access to management teams), as well as the assessment, in general. education for contact and distance academic and support units of the students alike, is to ensure NWU university), are aware of the need to “Disruptions are opportunities to staff have the support they need for a provide optimal, effective and timely reflect on assumptions made about smooth transition to online modalities. support for the teaching-learning teaching, learning and learners,” says project. “This entails intensive re- Prof Robert Balfour, the North-West Such support for students and staff is planning and reconfiguration of University’s deputy vice-chancellor commensurate with the ethic of care our work. It is important to us that for teaching and learning. espoused by the university as part of our communities and stakeholders its core values. know that these efforts are geared “The NWU has a long and stable toward the continued success of our history of multimodal (contact and “Troubling times test our values; students.” distance) education. Although the expectations concerning clarity of corona virus has indeed disrupted communication increase in relation to Exciting and accessible online not only the lives of our students the measure of anxiety or disruption presence and staff, and the many communities experienced by members of the to which we belong, it cannot bring university, whether near or far from our Prof Robert stated that the NWU’s teaching and learning at the North- campuses. Disruptions might compel Teaching and Learning portfolio West University (NWU) to a standstill. a pause and reflection on actions, but has accelerated its transition into Change it and us, yes, but impede our they also enable creativity, different an exciting and accessible online progress or efforts to bring education thinking and new solutions to come to presence. to people, no.” the fore. The toughest of metals are “Depending on how the situation develops nationally, there is every likelihood that students and staff will engage more intensively with the opportunities presented through the online learning modality.” From an academic development perspective, this engagement, and the transformation of the curriculum that will flow from it, is being led by the university’s Centre for Teaching and Learning. “This programme will be an exciting way to empower, teach, interact and mentor students,” he says. “During

the run-up to the introduction of the Prof Robert Balfour. “This entails ensuring that, as far as formal programme, lecturers already is reasonable, learning resources have access to daily online training distance mode.” are available online and accessible opportunities to prepare them for to students and staff,” Prof Robert a smooth transition.” This includes The approach is first to prioritise says. “We will also make sure that updated information on how to access to teaching-learning materials teaching resources, guidelines to support students to continue learning for academics and students, in online students, assessments and related for the duration of the crisis, using or distance mode. The university then resources are available. Students online technology. supports staff to develop adequate are encouraged to be in touch online guidance, support and direction with the university using whatever The NWU is well-prepared for the for students. technologies are available to changes because, long before the them so that the teaching-learning COVID-19 crisis, its lecturers have Support for academic and support programmes can continue.” long been working with the integration staff of technology into their lessons, with Where online access for students is the learning management system Prof Robert says the NWU supports not possible due to factors such as eFundi as the central point of staff by planning their access to remote locations or lack of electricity, connection. That said, some distance technology and enabling them to the NWU will turn to provider services education programmes use printed work remotely to support student such as post and courier, if available. text. access. The divisions working behind the scenes to accomplish this include Prof Robert said that the NWU is part Students in remote areas included Information Technology, the Centre of sectoral negotiations with public for Teaching and Learning, the as well as private mobile providers Prof Robert says the crisis has university libraries, the Unit for Open to assist staff and students residing changed the way academics consider Distance-Learning and the Unit for in South Africa by offering free, or assessment for both contact and Continuing Education, among others. considerably reduced, services distance students. This includes associated with online access to the possibility that students living The NWU is focusing on using the specific NWU platforms, including in remote areas, who are not able online mode to give contact students eFundi. to access electricity, let alone the access to the teaching-learning internet, can be supported through programme. These students will also “These are troubled times for all the distance modality. have access to selected programmes sectors of the economy, and not only already offered in the online mode for the education sector. However, “Especially in this time of social for open distance learning (ODL) education remains the single most distancing, lockdown and self- students. available resource through which the isolation, students do not have access State can provide opportunities to to physical campus-based resources people to develop themselves and such as the library, learning spaces, thus to open up possibilities for the computer labs, internet connectivity development of new solutions for the and face-to-face support. For this new challenges of our age,” he says. reason, the university must strive to make those resources accessible to \"The transition for staff and students both contact and distance students to online or distance modalities where alike,” he says. “In addition, the NWU this becomes the primary form of uses print and online material to offer tuition is not assumed to be an easy guidance to students”. one, however. The challenge for both staff and students is to communicate He states that the university has frequently and helpfully until such taken into account that students have time that the experience begins to feel varying levels of data available when seamless and natural. Fortunately, the accessing the eFundi site from mobile NWU is blessed with dedicated staff phones and personal computers. who in times of need and crisis such “This is why our guiding principles as this, come to the fore with renewed for teaching NWU students online energy to develop and sustain each implies that content and activities other to support students’ intellectual must be eFundi-based, mobile- and personal growth.”. friendly, low tech, low data or in the 33

Femmegineering paving the way to a more balanced future The Faculty of Engineering hosted its third Femmegineering event, but this was the first one that was presented virtually. The year 2020 pushed us to do things differently and we adapted quite effectively for everything to be hosted online. The event was spon- sored by merSeta – Woman in En- gineering and the goal was to spark interest in young females within the engineering industry. The theme for this year’s event was “Keep moving forward” seeing as we all experienced enormous changes in daily routines and we had to adapt and keep on moving forward. This theme was focused on how we can dynamically respond the challenges we face. The event invited girls in Gr.10 to Gr.12 who are interested in studying engineering. The four day programme included Gauteng and North-West. The virtu- Initiatives like these are crucial for a key note addresses from our lectur- al event ended with a questionnaire balanced industry in the future. The ers, talks on how to improve your requesting some feedback from the Femmegineering event is deliberately Math marks and even Pilates classes. learners who attended. A positive hosted in August as it pairs perfect- Each of the participants received a 62.7% of them said that they con- ly with the celebrations of women’s loaded goodie bag that was couriered sidered studying at the NWU while a month. We look forward to more to them one week before the virtual massive 71.6% responded that they events like this to pave the way to a event. The content of the goodie bag do consider studying engineering. future with more female engineers. included DIY project components of a Doodling Robot and loads of branded merchandise. The goal for this year’s registration was 200 learners and we were very excited when a total of 208 learners registered for the virtual event. The majority of learners were based in 34

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2020PhD Graduates During a very strange and chal- lenging year, the NWU’s Faculty Dr Diaan Nell obtained a Philosophi- of Engineering is privileged to ae Doctoral degree in Mechanical En- congratulate the Class of 2020 as gineering. Promoter of his study was they proudly graduate from the Prof EH Mathews. His thesis covered: North-West University. We present Practical determination of heat loads for existing deep level gold mines. to you our PhD graduates: Dr Bruce de Clifford Mastoroudes ob- Dr Franco Jansen van Rensburg tained his Ph.D degree in Mechanical obtained a Philosophiae Doctoral Engineering. His promoter was Prof degree in Mechanical Engineering. Johan Maarkgraaff and his co-pro- Promoter of his study was Dr JF van moter was Dr W B Wagener of Nec- Rensburg. His thesis explored “De- sa. He conducted his thesis on the velopment of an integrated project synthesis and use of nitrogen derived sustainability model using digital min- titanates for the adsorption of urani- ing solutions”. um from aqueous waste streams. Dr Abraham Jacobus Johannes Mou- ton obtained a Philosophiae Doctoral degree in Development and Man- agement Engineering. Promoter of his study was Professor JH Wichers and Co-promoter is Prof AT Roux. His thesis is titled: A framework for the re- use, recycling and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment: The South African case. Dr André Johan Storm obtained his Dr Durman Mchabe obtained a Dr Janine Booysen obtained a Ph.D degree in Mechanical Engineer- Philosophiae Doctoral degree in Philosophiae Doctoral degree in Me- ing. The promoter of his study was Chemical Engineering. Promoter of chanical Engineering. Promoter of Prof J Markgraaff and the co-promot- his study was Prof RC Everson and her study was Professor M. Kleingeld. er was Prof CP Storm. His thesis cov- Co-promoters are Prof HWJP Neog- Her thesis highlighted “Application of ered: Development of a micro burner amus and Prof PA Ramachandran. accounting principles on energy relat- for the experimental determination His thesis was about: Integrated ed reporting”. of the net calorific value at constant model of sulphur dioxide absorption pressure of pulverised coal. into limestone slurry in an agitated vessel, he developed and validated an integrated model for absorption of sulphur dioxide involving a gas-slurry system consisting of limestone.

Dr Louis Nicolaas Zietsman obtained Dr Marlene Mastoroudes obtained a Dr Stefan van der Walt obtained a Philosophiae Doctoral degree in Ph.D degree in Engineering Scienc- a Philosophiae Doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering. Promoter es. The promoter of her study was Nuclear Engineering. Promoter of of his study was Dr JH Marais. His Professor Johan Markgraaff and the his study was Prof CG du Toit and thesis was about Novel solutions for co-promoter was Dr JC Barry of Nec- Co-promoter is Prof PG Rousseau. compressed air demand manage- sa. Her thesis is about: The solution His thesis covered: The zonal ap- ment on deep-level mines. processing and stoichiometry of ZrC proach applied to the simulation of (zirconium carbide). the radiative heat transfer in a packed pebble bed Dr Louis Bouwer obtained a Philoso- Dr Pieter Peach obtained a Philoso- Dr Saad AL-Qarni obtained a Philoso- phiae Doctoral degree in Develop- phiae Doctoral degree in Mechanical phiae Doctoral degree in Mechanical ment and Management Engineering. Engineering. Promoter of his study and Explosives Engineering. Promot- Promoter of his research study was was Dr JF van Rensburg. His thesis er of his study was Prof JH Wichers Prof JH Wichers. His thesis was on: explored: Novel approach for im- and Co-promoter was Dr FJ Mostert. Strategic Innovation Navigation Sys- proved control processes on ageing His thesis was: Dependence of natu- tem for Growth Innovation. mine refrigeration systems. ral fragmentation characteristics of a casing material on explosive param- eters. Dr Madinoge Mampuru obtained a Dr Ronke Monica Ayo-IMORU ob- Dr Wikus Snijman obtained a Philoso- Philosophiae doctoral degree in Me- tained a Philosophiae Doctoral degree phiae Doctoral degree in Chemical chanical engineering. Promoter of her in Nuclear Engineering. Promoter of Engineering. Promoter of his study study was Prof Marius Kleingeld. Her her study was Prof. Dawid Serfontein was Prof S Marx and Co-promoter thesis is titled: Improving by-product and Co-promoter is Prof. Anthonie was Dr W Wenzel. His thesis was ti- gas utilisation in steel milling opera- Cilliers. Her thesis was titled: A hybrid tled: A South African perspective in- tions. system for condition-based mainte- vestigating five nitrogen application nance in nuclear power plants. levels for optimum sweet sorghum juice needed for the production of bio-ethanol.

Our involvement in the Engineering without borders design challenge Engineers Without Borders International (EWB-I) is The Design Challenge initiative has been delivered in the an international association of national EWB/ISF groups. UK and Ireland for eight years. It is based on a concept EWB-I helps the member groups develop their capacity to developed originally by Engineers Without Borders Aus- assist developing communities in their respective coun- tralia. tries. Both on a global and local scale, we are facing challenges The member groups of EWB-I share the mission to partner that require urgent action. Engineering plays a key role in with disadvantaged communities to improve their quality everyday life and our response to address the future chal- of life through education and implementation of sustain- lenges. Participating in the Engineering for People Design able engineering projects, while promoting global dimen- Challenge is the beginning of your journey to prepare you sions of experience for engineers, engineering students, to invest your skills and talent to benefit all people and our and similarly motivated non-engineers. EWB-I creates planet. You have an opportunity to join thousands of uni- links between these like-minded organizations and cuts versity students from across the world taking part in this across national borders. ‘Engineers Without Borders’ initiative. This year, students in South Africa, the UK, Ireland and the USA are partici- Engineers Without Borders South Africa exists to “em- pating in the Engineering for People Design Challenge. power engineers to empower communities.” Many commu- Over 35,000 students have participated over the last eight nities in South Africa (and globally) remain “under-served” years with a different design brief each year. This year we by engineers and broader society. As a result, they suffer have the most students participating to date. from numerous challenges including everything from a lack of access to clean water, all the way through to mar- This is more than a theoretical exercise. In this document, ginalisation in the democratic process. the challenges described are real issues in ‘Makers Val- ley’, an area of Johannesburg, South Africa. The opportu- To help remedy this, we’ve embarked on a strategy of nities for improvement are identified by those people who “empowering engineers” (and other professionals) to “em- live there. They have offered their perspectives to help power communities” to solve their own challenges. We form this design brief and to enhance your educational ex- empower engineers by providing focused training, tools perience and to share challenges faced in day to day life. and support systems designed to enable them to help the communities they work with. For the NWU Faculty of Engineering students, the De- sign Challenge forms part of a new module to be imple- Our belief is that by expanding the skills, tools, support mented in the curriculum from 2021, to be called: Engi- and ultimately the vision of South African engineers, we neering in the South African and global context. A coherent can build a better society. understanding of the inter-relationship between science, 38

technology and society, and the ability to use this frame- • The items bought will be weighed or sold per item; work to explain and interpret contemporary problems is one of the new outcomes. We took part in the Design • The food and necessities that will be provided in the Challenge in 2020 as a pilot study to expose our students store will mainly be supplied within the community, in to the great initiatives created by EWB and the activities order to give back and invest in the community - in- of specific the South African branch. Our students we di- volving as much people as possible in Makers Valley; vided in groups of 6 and they had to tackle the community issues and challenges of Makers Valley, a very interesting • Employees will be mainly be people from within the community in the South of Johannesburg. community; One of our teams: Olga Hougaard, Lelani Kemp, Duani • All the quality of the food will be tested, and no alcohol Kotzé, Jacques Kriel, Marnus Steyn, Theo van Der Walt will be sold. made it to the top eight groups in South Africa to compete with the finalists from the Design Challenge finalists in the The Twist United States and the United Kingdom. The finals, a virtual event held on the 8th of December, has given them inter- • The community can collect plastic, glass, paper, cans national exposure and a chance to convince the judges or tin waste, polluting Makers Valley, in exchange for that their solution to the problems in Makers Valley was discounts on their new purchases; worth considering creating a better life. • The food discount will be granted according to a slid- Wholesale store with a twist ing scale with respect to the quantity and quality of waste traded in; • We want to create a wholesale store that provides food and necessities in bulk to reduce waste and bet- • This waste will then be reworked into innovative prod- ter the livelihood of the community; ucts such as plated handbags, compacted plastic bot- tles for bricks for possible houses, etc.; • The community can bring their own containers when buying products from the store to fill it with what they • Houses can be built for the community out of the need – no packaging waste; bricks made from recycled material • If customers do not have containers, it will be provided • In this way we initiate waste to worth, and deliver to them (in the form of recycled plastic waste brought worth to the community from waste collected. to us); 39

Well-deserved staff promotions The Faculty of Engineering would like to congratulate the following staff members for their hard earned promotion to full professors. Prof Rupert Gouws, Prof Kenny Uren and Prof Fanie Terblanche are evidence that great things come to those who are willing to work hard to reach their goals. Prof Rupert Gouws holds a B.Eng, In 2014, he received a NRF Y2 rating from the M.Eng (cum laude) and Ph.D. degree National Research Foundation (NRF) and in 2020 he in Electrical and Electronic Engineering received a NRF C2 rating. He received awards for from the NWU. After completion of the most productive junior researcher as well as the his studies he joined the engineering most productive senior researcher within the NWU company Energy Cybernetics where Faculty of Engineering. He is active on research he managed, performed, assisted and evaluation panels for various international journals and presented the results of energy audits, established a network of partners within the university, measurement and verification activities local industries and international collaborators. and energy related research activities to various stakeholders. He consulted to a variety of industry- and public sectors in South Africa and other countries in the fields of energy engineering and energy management. In 2010, he accepted the position of senior lecturer at the NWU in the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering. From 2013- 2015 he was appointed in the position of Program Manager for the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Program and Electromechanical Engineering Program. He was promoted to associate professor at the NWU in the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering in 2015. 40

Prof Kenny Uren specialises in the fields of mathematical systems modelling and control theory. He received the B. Eng., M. Eng. (Cum Laude) and PhD degrees in Electronic and Computer Engineering from the North-West University, Potchefstroom campus, South Africa in 2003, 2005 and 2009, respectively. Kenny is a member of the McTronX research group that has a core focus on mathematical modelling of industrial systems, mechatronic systems, and control theory. Currently his research focuses on process monitoring and control of large-scale industrial systems. This entails the development of modelling methodologies based on graph theoretic approaches. Complex large-scale systems introduce unique challenges such as system nonlinearities and multi-domain physics. These challenges also pose new and interesting research problems in terms of control system design. Currently it has been shown that by considering components of systems as energy manipulation mechanisms, large-scale systems can be modelled and controlled by using the unifying concept of energy. Prof. Uren is a Y-rated researcher and is registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer. Prof Fanie Terblanche received his M.Eng and PhD in Industrial Engineering from Stellenbosch University in 2015 and 2017. He started as Chief Developer & Team Leader at MinerRP in 2000. Soon after he became lecturer in 2003 at the School of Computer, Statistical and Mathematical Sciences at NWU. In 2008 he became associate professor and senior lecturer at the Centre for Business Mathematics and Informatics until 2017 and became associate professor at the School of Industrial Engineering in 2018. Prof Terblanche has been involved in the development of the following modules: Financial Modelling & Optimisation, Optimisation Methods for Business Analytics and Advanced Optimisation. We know that you are more than equipped to handle the new responsibilities. The Faculty of Engineering is proud of your promotion and want to give you a genuine congratulations. 41

Carolien Müller Hendrik Rossouw Nondumiso Bhengu Ryno Aust Industrial engineering students take part in the Inchainge Global Student Challenge 2020–2021 A team of four third-year Industrial a positive return on investment (ROI) in the finals in May 2021,” Carolien Engineering students, Hendrik Ros- for this company,” explains Hendrik. says. souw, Nondumiso Bhengu, Ryno Aust and Carolien Müller, have been The students in the class had been Carolien adds that they know they will invited to participate in the global divided into eleven groups consisting grow a lot as Industrial Engineering qualification round (GQR) of the In- of four individuals per group. The par- students during this period, especial- chainge Global Student Challenge ticipants used tools and techniques ly because they will have to manage 2020–2021. such as statistics, finances, strategy their time between studies and the and communication to accomplish game. Their team does not see this This team is very enthusiastic and ex- the goal of obtaining a positive ROI. opportunity as just a game, but as an cited because they will be participat- experience that will make them better ing in an international game that is in The winning team initially started off industrial engineers in the future. line with their studies. with a negative ROI. They played six rounds over a period of six weeks or “Every person in our team has a dis- “In the first semester, we had INGB less, during which time they eventual- tinctive way of thinking and a unique 318 (Supply Chain Management) and ly achieved a positive ROI, and end- personality, which helps us a lot to the class had to participate in the In- ed the game with the highest ROI. think out of the box and to get solu- chainge Fresh Connection game. The tions in an exceptional way. We would whole class from Supply Chain Man- “We were then invited to participate in like to thank Mr Whisper Maisiri, our agement participated in the Inchainge the global qualification round, which lecturer, who was and still is there to Fresh Connection game. This is a takes place from 23 November 2020 guide and support us, and the School web-based business simulation game to 14 December 2020. We will be of Industrial Engineering for teaching in which fresh fruit juice is made. The competing against other universities. us valuable tools for our future,” she four managers of this business, Op- The game lasts three weeks, with one concludes. erations, Supply Chain, Purchasing round per week. After every round and Sales, must work together to get the top 30% will qualify to participate 42

Ingenium to the rescue! This year saw a different perspec- games. year. tive to how life is experienced and coming from a student’s point of We might not have been able to We also participated in a variety of view it was a whole new way of implement all the change that we campaigns on campus, earlier in studying to be embraced. Ingeni- aspired to do during 2020, but we the year. From all the AKSA events, um, the faculty’s student associa- managed to make the most of our like cleaning walk from Spar to tion, started the year on a strong experiences from discussing over campus, our stalls in “lover’s lane” foot with the welcoming of first Zoom, to winning the prize for be- to enlighten our peers on the ef- year students in early January and ing the 3rd best student associa- fects impacting our environment, giving them a much needed help- tion at the NWU for a second year to the charity work that was done ing hand in the adjustment to var- in a row. to help out in our struggling com- sity life. munities. Ingenium managed to hold the fort We managed to host a few events when students had no idea what We look forward to making an even over the two months that we spent was happening and with help from greater change in the lives of our here - from a drive-through mov- the faculty, we managed to make students and communities in 2021! ie night, to some fun volleyball the most of a pandemic ridden 43

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