The Didactic Branch of the SAIMC, in collaboration with the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC), recently hosted an insightful talk on postgraduate opportunities. Held at the conference centre on Nelson Mandela University’s North Campus, the event aimed to inspire and guide students about the paths and possibilities available to them through postgraduate studies, and to introduce them to some exciting projects.
The keynote speaker was Andrew Young, engineering director at eNtsa and leader of the Marine Robotics Unit (MRU) research and development activities. He opened the event by sharing his experiences and discussing the cutting-edge work happening in marine robotics. His presentation highlighted how advancements in this field can provide valuable learning and research opportunities for students interested in technology and marine robotics.
Representing AIDC-EC, Odwa Sonqishe also shared her journey, emphasising the importance of perseverance in postgraduate studies. Her encouraging words inspired students not to give up on furthering their education, despite the challenges they may face. She reminded attendees of the long-term benefits that come with advanced qualifications.
Martin Sanne discussed the M and D bursary provided by AIDC-EC, which supports master’s and doctoral students, and mentioned S4’s work-and-study opportunities. This unique offering allows students to gain practical experience while pursuing their studies, which can be highly advantageous in today’s competitive job market.
Kyla Burden spoke on research collaboration between Nelson Mandela University and the CSIR. She introduced current postgraduate students working on autonomous systems, and highlighted the bursary opportunities that the CSIR offers. Her presentation shed light on the kind of innovative projects that the CSIR supports, creating interest among the students looking for career paths in mobile robotics.
Additional insights were provided by Clive Hands from the Advanced Engineering Design Group, who spoke about opportunities for students interested in engineering and advanced design. Stefan van Aardt from the Mechatronics Department concluded the guest presentations by discussing the mechatronics honours projects and the various postgraduate opportunities available for students in this multidisciplinary field.
Throughout the event, various projects were on display, showcasing the work and research being done in areas like robotics, advanced materials, autonomous systems, systems engineering and mechatronics. Students had the chance to ask questions, engage with the speakers, and gain valuable insights into potential postgraduate paths.
To wrap up the event, several lucky attendees won exciting prizes in a lucky draw, adding a fun and memorable finale. Overall, the talks successfully motivated the 55 senior undergraduate engineering students who attended to explore the diverse opportunities that postgraduate studies can offer. Feedback from the attendees included: “The event was very informative and interesting”; “The motivation to pursue postgraduate studies was heard loud and clear”; “I am inspired to pursue a master’s degree”; and “I learned about the various research fields available in the engineering departments”.
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