The excitement continues! This month, you all will no doubt be looking forward to our fantastic Networking Evening and Gala Dinner on 25 October at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre. The theme of ‘Training and development challenges in the automation and instrumentation industry’ has proven to be of great interest with tickets and sponsorship opportunities almost sold out.
Our new group of member-orientated leaders in the SAIMC has been very busy once again this month. On the education front, the SAIMC has nominated members and office bearers to serve on the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) call to action: ‘Meeting the Demand for SIP Scarce Skills’. The DHET has requested assistance from all universities, universities of technology, comprehensive universities and colleges as well as employers and TU’s covering sector education, training authorities and quality councils and professional bodies, to help build the SIP scarce skills.
The Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIPs) are:
1. Unlocking the northern mineral belt with Primary Mineral Reserves Waterberg as the catalyst.
2. Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics and industrial corridor.
3. South-eastern node and corridor development.
4. Unlocking the economic opportunities in North West Province.
5. Saldanha-Northern Cape development corridor.
6. Integrated municipal infrastructure project.
7. Integrated urban space and public transport programme.
8. Green energy in support of the South African economy.
9. Electricity generation to support socio-economic development.
10. Electricity transmission and distribution for all.
11. Agri-logistics and rural infrastructure.
12. Revitalisation of public hospitals and other health facilities.
13. National school build programme.
14. Higher education infrastructure.
15. Expanding access to communication technology.
16. Square Kilometre Array and Meerkat Radio Telescope projects.
17. Regional integration for African cooperation and development.
18. Water and sanitation infrastructure.
From the above list it is apparent that a massive amount of engineering skills will be required to realise these projects. Automation, instrumentation and control engineering will no doubt play a significant role in most, if not all of these projects. The SAIMC aims to ensure that the interests of our discipline are represented in this process and that we can address the skills shortage affecting our industry. We unfortunately do not have enough room to provide the details of this initiative but you can get all the required information on our website www.saimc.co.za.
Furthermore, the SAIMC actively participated in the Engineering Council of South Africa’s (ECSA) Thought Leadership Forum held earlier this year. The full report can be found on www.saimc.co.za where the SAIMC contributed under the Electrical Engineering discipline. Yes, we don’t have our own identity – yet! The SAIMC has nominated members and office bearers to serve on the Electrical Engineering Task Team and assist with:
* The development of an implementation plan (short, medium and long term).
* The development an advocacy agenda.
* The creation of position papers.
* Agree on communication vehicles.
* Agree on the research issues.
* Identify spokespersons and champions.
The SAIMC can make a significant contribution regarding the issues of a National Integrated Smart-Grid Strategy in Electricity and a Automated Water Leaks Management System. The task teams have to submit their final implementation plans by end October 2013.
We are looking forward to using these two platforms to prove that the new SAIMC has arrived and is willing and able to add value to the broader engineering fraternity and society at large!
Please e-mail me on [email protected] with your constructive feedback so that council and I can serve you better.
Working together, achieving more,
Vinesh
| Tel: | +27 11 312 2445 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.saimc.co.za |
| Articles: | More information and articles about SAIMC |
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