News


Altair student day inspires STEM interest

October 2017 News

Altair South Africa recently hosted a group of potential engineering students as part of its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) initiative to expose them to the opportunities available in the engineering field.

The company offers software in five categories related to Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) and High Performance Computing (HPC).

“The main criterion to attend the day was obviously an interest in studying engineering. The project has grown exponentially since we started three years ago, with over 60 learners joining us this year,” explains Gronum Smith, country manager of Altair SA.

The invitation was extended to all schools in the area, including Malibu High, Oval Engineering School, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Kayamandi High, Cloetesville High and Rhenish Girls High in Stellenbosch, and Parel Vallei, Strand High and Hottentots Holland in the Somerset West area. “This year we tested their analytical skills with practical sessions, which they seemed to enjoy, along with all the presentations,” said Smith.

The keynote speaker was Christopher Maxwell from Bloodhound SSC, who spoke about the technology behind building a car to go faster than 1000 mph, which resulted in lots of questions from the audience. Other presentations, along with those from Altair, focused on each engineering discipline including aeronautical (SA National Space Agency), industrial (University of Stellenbosch), mechatronics (Greenchain Engineering), civil (By Design), chemical (Veolia) and electrical/software (Alphawave).

Feedback from the pupils was positive and many of them appreciated the value of such a day. The common thread throughout the day by all the presenters was to work hard, be passionate, take risks, be entrepreneurial and realise that learning never ends.

“One pupil’s comment at the end of the day of ‘I had never considered mechanical engineering but had decided during the mechanical engineering session that it is my chosen career and I just wanted to say thank you for that’ definitely makes a day like this worthwhile,” concludes Smith.

For more information contact Altair South Africa, +27 (0)21 831 1500, [email protected], www.altair.co.za





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

4Sight OT Automation achieves prestigious AVEVA Endorsed Partner status
News
4Sight OT Automation, a leading industrial software solutions provider, has achieved Endorsed Partner status within the AVEVA Partner Network.

Read more...
Schneider Electric announces 2023 Global Alliance Partner Programme award winners
Schneider Electric South Africa News
Schneider Electric has announced the winners of the 2023 Global Alliance Excellence Awards. Throughout 2023, Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partners supported customers in the digitalisation of industrial automation, delivering value with innovative initiatives, solutions and services.

Read more...
Custom containerised lubrication dispensing system
News
Bosch Rexroth Africa recently supplied and installed a customised environmentally friendly and dust-proof lubrication dispensing system for a leading earth-moving equipment supplier.

Read more...
Siemens to acquire industrial drive technology business of ebm-papst
Siemens South Africa News
Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire the industrial drive technology business of ebm-papst. The business includes intelligent, integrated mechatronic systems in the protective extra-low voltage range and innovative motion control systems.

Read more...
Bearings International fosters a segment strategy
Bearings International News
Bearings International has a segment approach to the market, which places an intentional focus on key industries in South and sub-Saharan Africa in a bid to optimise operations, enhance uptime, and drive business sustainability and increased profitability outcomes for customers.

Read more...
Local robotics team’s journey to the world stage
News
In the heart of Cape Town, a group of young visionaries aged 12 to 17 is making waves in the world of robotics. Known as Texpand, this team from Pinelands has not only dominated the First Tech Challenge (FTC) in South Africa, but has also earned international acclaim for its innovative approach to engineering and problem solving.

Read more...
RS Group expands by 10 000 products
RS South Africa News
RS South Africa has announced its Better World Claims Based Framework, enabling customers to select verified sustainable product alternatives. This provides suppliers with a standardised framework to accelerate the development and manufacture of more sustainable and responsible products.

Read more...
IRP 2023 could reset SA’s social and economic problems
News
ACTOM recently held a webinar on the ‘Draft IRP2023 Impact on the Manufacturing Sector’. South Africa’s Draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 is a key document that outlines a comprehensive strategy for addressing the country’s energy security challenges, while also setting out its transition to a diversified energy mix, including renewables.

Read more...
Young scientists to showcase innovative research
News
Innovative South African research which includes a cost-effective triage test for real-time detection of TB and a nature-based technology that brings about environmental remediation, will be showcased at this year’s International Festival of Engineering, Science and Technology in Tunisia.

Read more...
Moog takes a leadership position in lunar exploration
News
NASA is planning for a sustained human presence on the Moon, and resources such as water could eventually be harnessed from the lunar surface instead of being transported from Earth, and it has turned to industry to find ways to excavate and transport that icy regolith.

Read more...