First, I must say that this is the day after the Springboks played the semi-finals.Congratulations to all the people in the Springbok camp. What a show of unity, combined with humility and strength. What stood out for me was that the coaches did not tell them to play harder, they knew what they should do. The coaches brought them together as one team − the starting fifteen, the players on the bench and the non-players. This is what makes a team we can be very proud of. Rugby has once again brought South Africans together as one nation: no white apartheid, no black apartheid, just South Africans.
But let me get back to SAIMC.
Structure changes
During the SAIMC 2026 strategy session held in October 2023, we discussed the exciting changes and challenges ahead. Our organisation has significantly transformed its structure since our last strategy session, SAIMC 2023, which was held five years ago. This changing structure reflects our commitment to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving industry. Here are some highlights:
• Two universities joined SAIMC as Didactic Members, Tshwane University of Technology and Nelson Mandela University.
• ECSA requested SAIMC to assist with Mechatronics Engineering and Computer Engineering documentation.
• MESA joined us as an Advisory Council.
• Our membership nearly doubled during 2023, to over 1000 members.
Taking advantage of new technologies
The rapid advancements in automation, artificial intelligence and robotics have revolutionised our world. We must stay ahead of the curve and leverage these technologies to our advantage.
Training and partnerships
We must continue with our culture of continuous learning and adaptability, but in such a way that we do not lose our identity. We must invest in training programmes, workshops and partnerships that equip our members with the necessary skills to navigate this technology landscape. By embracing these new technologies, we can unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation.
Collaboration
Furthermore, we need to establish and maintain strong links with industry leaders, academia and government bodies to stay informed about the latest trends and regulations. This will enable us to shape policies and standards that promote the responsible and ethical use of automation technologies.
Redefining our purpose
The updated strategy meeting for SAIMC presented us with a unique opportunity to redefine our organisation’s purpose, embrace change, harness the power of new technologies, and review our motto.
A new motto to shape our future identity
One of the critical issues we needed to address was the need for a new motto. A motto serves as a guiding principle, encapsulating our values and aspirations. It should resonate with our members and stakeholders, inspiring them to embrace change and innovation, and it should shape our collective identity moving forward.
The results
Due to all these changes, combined with the new automation technologies we are facing, we have changed our motto from ‘Progress by Control’ to ‘Inspiring Automation’.
Our vision is to empower our members, individuals and companies.
Our mission is:
• Promote automation.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing.
• Ensure sustainable growth of the SAIMC.
• Provide accreditation.
• Influence policy development.
• Promote industry visibility.
Our focus areas for the next three years will be:
• Strengthening the organisational structure.
• Education and training.
• Stakeholder collaboration platforms.
• Creating a value proposition for our members.
• Public relations.
As we work on this roadmap, we are depending on each of our members to support and advise us as we enter an exciting future of continuous innovation and change.
Yours in automation
Johan Maartens.
| Tel: | +27 11 312 2445 |
| Email: | ina@saimc.co.za |
| www: | www.saimc.co.za |
| Articles: | More information and articles about SAIMC |
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