VUT-Penmac instrumentation and IT seminar

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IBG - SA Instrumentation & Control Buyers' Guide

January 2006 News

Following the VUT/Penmac Exhibition/Seminar held in Secunda on 21 July 2005, another similar and even more spectacular event was held on 6 and 7 September at the Emfuleni Conference Centre in Vanderbijlpark. All of this began with the signing of an agreement between the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, the Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences and Penmac, a company hosting Control Roadshows/Exhibitions throughout South Africa. The signing of this agreement took place on 10 March 2005 at the Vaal University of Technology.

Those involved in organising the event and guest speakers for the Seminar on the second day of the venture. From left to right at the back: Mr C Perold, Mr K Mitton, Prof RH du Pré, Prof. HJ de Jager and Ms Z Kotze. In the middle: Ms R Riekert and Prof. P Mendonidis with Mr A Maphosa at the bottom

On 6 September the two-day Instrumentation and Information Technology Exhibition/Seminar was officially opened with a formal function where Ms Deshun Deysel, first black woman to conquer Mount Everest, was the guest speaker. She shared her experiences with the audience from a scientific point of view, explaining the advanced technology available to mountaineers. Her talk was in line with the theme of the event namely 'Technological advancements and developments in the fields of instrumentation and information technology/computer sciences'. Other speakers at this occasion were Prof. R H du Pré, acting vice-chancellor and rector and deputy vice-chancellor: Academic of VUT and Malcolm Finlay, director of Penmac.

Some of the speakers at the Official Opening. Left to right top: Ms Deshun Deysel, Malcolm Finlay, Prof. RH Du Pré, Dr A Jordaan and Mr BR Mabuza. In the middle: Mr A Roux, Prof. P Mendonidis and Prof. HJ de Jager

On 7 September VUT hosted an Instrumentation and IT seminar. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. RH du Pré in his capacity as deputy vice-chancellor: Academic. Also presenting during the main session of the seminar was Cornu Perold, president of the South African Institute for Measurement and Control (SAIMC) and A Maphosa, director: Co-operative Education at VUT. A total of 21 presentations were delivered by VUT researchers and vendors, offering noble solutions to old and new challenges. Due to the large number of presentations, parallel sessions were run and attended selectively by delegates from industry, VUT staff members and students. Various collaborations between industry, vendors and VUT emanated from this event. Follow-up work is currently being done to tie up agreements of service and co-operative partnerships.

The organisers of the event, At Roux and Dr Annelie Jordaan, are satisfied that the goals, set for the event, have been accomplished. Their main focus was on building relationships, establish ties with private companies and industry and promote the research capacity of VUT. Many lessons were learnt, many challenges conquered! We are ready to host even bigger events in 2006.

For more information contact Cornu Perold, President, SAIMC, [email protected]

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VUT-Penmac instrumentation and IT seminar

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