UK-South Africa & SADC Engineering Education and Research Capacity

Building Collaboration

5-6 October 2017

Synopsis

A two-day conference co-hosted by the Government of South Africa’s Department

for Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Royal Academy of Engineering,

UK (the Academy) with support from the British High Commission in South Africa.

The primary aim was to showcase projects supported by both DHET and the

Academy and develop ideas for collaboration in education and research capacity

building under upcoming funding calls.

This event was a collaborative effort between three of the Academy’s international

programmes, all funded by the UK government under either the Newton Fund or

the Global Challenges Research Fund which both support engineering capacity

building collaborations in universities and professional engineering institutions in

South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa for economic and social development

purposes.

Objectives:

Highlighting and share lessons from projects funded under the Academy’s

engineering collaboration programmes in SADC region

Networking between participants and facilitate idea generation and encouraging

relationships for new collaborations in preparation for relevant funding calls

Engaging in discussions around engineering education and research in South

Africa and SADC region to help inform wider policy and practice

5 October: The first day was opened by the UK Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Ben

Llewellyn OBE, and Professor Ken Grattan FREng, City University (UK).

The workshop was separated into six sessions showcasing the achievements of the

projects supported by the Academy.

Session 1: Improving Pedagogy and Practice of Undergraduate Engineering

Teaching

A series of presentations chaired by Professor Ifiok Otung, University of South Wales

(UK), addressing the engineering skills shortage experienced in South Africa.

Professor Otung opened the session highlighting the need to re-brand engineering

as a fun career path, as well as the necessity of ensuring the profession is

recognised for the vital role it plays in society. Professor Otung expressed the need

to better prepare students pre-university education to choose a career in

engineering.

The session commenced with a

presentation by Dr Whitfield Green,

DHET. Dr Green explained the

challenges the government is facing

in South Africa, including high

dropout rate for engineering

students, and the steps the South African

government is taking by shifting the focus

towards capacity building programmes, and

introducing a new initiative, investing

ZAR10million into staff development

projects.

This was followed by a series of engaging

presentations highlighting the different

approaches to addressing and improving

undergraduate teaching within engineering

education in South Africa; utilising the

Academy’s Industry-Academia Partnership

Programme (IAPP).

Professor Winberg, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, explained the need to

create an environment stimulating professional learning across differing disciplines

and areas taking a Problem Based Learning approach to make learning more

engaging, and create skilled graduates. Professor Das, Central University of

Technology, showcased student and staff competency programme in partnership

with UCL. This was followed by Mr Brown and Ms Gogela-Smith, Nelson Mandela

University, who tabled a different approach to engineering education, Phenomenon

Based Learning, increasing the skills of staff through workshops, seminars and short

courses to assist staff in developing appropriate core subject knowledge. Ms Gogela-

Smith also showcased an online platform under construction bringing together data

from across the continent on engineering education, and the approaches used. With

such a large-scale project underway, this was greeted with excitement, as this type

of data does not currently exist.

Dr A Padaaychee, South African Technology Network, presented on a collaborative

project, supporting 6 technical universities by developing lecturers with further

qualifications and increase disadvantaged student and staff retention. Lastly,

Professor Collier-Reed, University

of Cape Town, shared a new

initiative by the university to

create short videos by experts,

with key, succinct takeaway points

published on their website to

support students in learning.

Professor Collier-Reed also

pleaded with the delegates to

support each other to leverage the

South African expertise and

experience for the benefit of the

country.

Session 2: Enhancing Engineering research capacity

The second session, chaired by Professor Ken Grattan FREng, aimed to highlight the

need to leverage partnership in building capacity. Professor Johann Mouton set the

scene by presenting data that identified the trends and data behind South African

engineering education. Masters enrolment has steadily increased since 1971, and

reached over 5,000 in 2005. Out of those 5,000 students, 20% were female and

80% male. In addition to this, there were a significant increase in black Africans

compared to other ethnicities and groups. Professor Mouton highlighted the need

to do more in increase this trend, promote women within engineering, and reminded

the audience of the positive role immigration has played to increase those numbers.

Professor Jeff Smithers, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (on sabbatical in the UK),

showcased the flood impact project in collaboration with local industry, developing

research capacity, and transferring technology to industry. Professor Andrew Leitch,

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, showcased his IAPP project, capitalising on

the recent growth in the fibre optic sensors sector, this project is developing

advanced optical fibre sensor networks for improved structural health monitoring.

Lastly, Professor Tariene Wilcocks and Professor Jacques Snyman, Tshwane

University of Technology, presented on their project preparing the South African

Built Environment for Climate Change Resilience (SABER), creating and lobbying

the government for guidelines/policies around climate change emissions, as well as

designing and delivering a research agenda and curricula to support the proposal

for an alternative regulatory

system. With the current

informal building economy

not considering climate

change regulations, and the

top ten African countries (of

which South Africa is one)

producing 77.3% of the

continent’s carbon

emissions, the university has

created a research hub to

help tackle this growing

issue.

Session 3: Addressing Emerging Issues and Technologies in Engineering

Education through partnerships

Dr Keith Carter, Visiting Professor at the University of Leicester, and long-standing

partner of the Royal Academy of Engineering, chaired the session highlighting the

need to address and improve engineering education within Africa by, utilising new

technology and teaching methods to ensure rapid development.

This session commenced with a presentation by Ereola Aladesanmi, University of

KwaZulu-Natal, who shared the differing teaching methods and advances the

university has adopted recently through the Academy award. Dr Mxolis i Brendon

Shongwe, Tshwane University of Technology, shared his experiences vising the UK

through the IAPP programme, to develop the university’s welding technology to

improve manufacturing. Dr Shongwe, who partnered with the University of

Leicester, explained that this programme, has given his team an opportunity to

learn from the UK’s advanced welding methods and to visit the Welding Institute.

Lastly, Christiaan Coenrad Oosthuizen, Tshwane University of Technology,

presented on their IAPP project; solar vehicle engineering development exchange

programme, advancing research capacity, upskilling staff, and implementing

focussed workshops with industry partners, in partnership with the University of

Southampton.

6 October

The second day, provided an opportunity for the Academy to showcase its’ related

sub-Saharan Africa focussed programmes, supporting engineering education

through the Higher Education Partnership in sub-Saharan Africa programme (HEP

SSA) and strengthening professional engineering institutions through the GCRF

Africa Catalyst programme. Chaired by Dr Allyson Lawless FREng, whose opening

remarks highlighted the need for the African continent to develop its own

engineering capacity at a faster rate, the financial and continuity challenges that

are growing through foreign engineering consultancy, and the engineering potential

that exists within the continent itself. This point was furthered by Prof Lukas

Snyman, Chair of ECSA Deans Forum, who provided data and information on the

numbers and current condition of engineering in South Africa.

Session 4: Bridging the skills gap: Examples of Professional Engineering

Institutes and Higher Education collaboration

This session, chaired by Professor Mike Bramhall,

Emeritus Professor of Engineering Education,

Sheffield Hallam University & Member, Engineering

Professors’ Council aimed to highlight the

importance of the GCRF Africa Catalyst pilot projects

and partnerships with regional universities. The

session included a detailed explanation by Professor

Dik Morling, Institute of Engineering and

Technology, on internationally recognised standards

such as the Washington Accord. Jagadish Soobarah,

Institution of Engineers Mauritius, showcased the

GCRF Africa Catalyst project in Mauritius, working

towards international accreditation standards. Dr

Oagile Kanyeto, Botswana Institute of Engineering,

and Dr Sebusang Sebusang, University of

Botswana, presented the progress of their projects

through the Academy, and the engineering challenges facing Botswana. Dawn

Bonfield MBE, Visiting Professorship at Aston University, explained the need to

create a more inclusive and diverse approach to engineering.

Session 5: In conversation with Eng Wilson Nyemba: Instigating and

sustaining institutional change

This session was chaired by Dr Allyson Lawless FREng, leading a conversation with

Eng Wilson Nyemba, former Dean of Engineering at the University of Zimbabwe,

and currently completing a PhD at the University of Johannesburg, They discussed

the Academy’s pilot scheme for HEP SSA; Enriching Engineering Education

Programme (EEEP), which ran between 2013 -2015. The session aimed to look

closely at the steps, processes, and challenges that are experienced in creating

institutional changes, developing engineering education, and the achievements that

can be made with the correct team and commitment. The conversation provided

the awardees an opportunity to build on Engineer Nyemba’s experience and

expertise, in addressing the skills shortage and skills gap in the continent’s

engineering capacity.

Session 6: Leveraging partnerships to impact at scale

The final session, chaired by Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the

University of Dar es Salaam, Professor Bavo Nyichomba, provided an opportunity

to showcase the current awardees in the - HEP SSA programme. Presentations

included Professor Frank Kavishe, Founding Dean of Engineering, University of

Namibia, Dr Suzgo Kaunda, Senior Lecturer, University of Malawi – Polytechnic, and

Professor Mundia Muya, Dean of Engineering, University of Zambia. The

presentations showcased the achievements, challenges and objectives of each

project, providing an opportunity for feedback and support on developing the

projects. The projects held a focus on two way bilateral secondments between

academia and industry, knowledge sharing workshops and updating engineering

curriculum.

Outcomes

The conference successfully showcased a vast spectrum of engineering capacity

building initiatives being undertaken across the SADC region, sponsored by the

Academy and DHET through the GCRF and Newton Funds. The conference helped

join the dots between the individual projects, creating an environment for

collaborative discourse and has subsequently seeded at least two 2 multi-body

collaborations between South Africa, the SADC region and the UK. The conference

also provided an opportunity for the projects to be peer reviewed, and co-

developed, with many of the challenges experienced by the awardees shared, and

possible solutions tabled – such sharing and further leveraging of knowledge,

resources and facilities is essential for awardees often operating under severe

resource constraints. Through this sharing many best practices and opportunities

were identified such as increasing partner involvement in HEPSSA projects, new

partnerships within GCRF Africa Catalyst, and gaining access to sub-Saharan

African engineering universities to support IAPP projects. Finally, as the

conference was supported by the British High Commission, and co-hosted with the

South African government, the event has further developed the strong partnership

between the UK and South Africa, and created future opportunities for mutually-

beneficial collaboration to foster improved engineering capabilities and meet our

respective national development objectives.

Workshop agenda

UK-South Africa Engineering Education and Research Capacity Building Collaboration Programme - 5 October 2017

09:00 – 09:30

09:30 – 10:00

Registration and Coffee

Welcome and introduction

Welcoming Speech

Opening Remarks o Mr B Llewellyn Jones, Deputy High Commissioner, British High

Commission, South Africa Introduction to the Royal Academy of Engineering and Industry Academia

Partnership Programme

o Prof Kenneth Grattan FREng, Dean, City Graduate School, City University London

10:00 – 12:00

Improving Pedagogy and Practice of Undergraduate Engineering

Teaching

With 40% drop out rate of South African Engineering students, the profession faces a

throughput crisis with many course leavers citing teaching quality and curricular issues as

switching reasons. This session will provide an overview of the national situation regarding

student and staff needs in engineering education and then showcase the various initiatives

funded in this area through the collaborative South Africa-UK programmes.

Chair & Opening Remarks: Prof Ofiuk Otung, Professor of Satellite Communications,

University of South Wales, UK

Presentation

The DHET’s Existing Engineering Staff Capacity Enhancement Programme: What

is it about and what is it responding to?

o Dr Whitfield Green, Department of Higher Education and Training

Project Showcases:

Enhancing engineering academics’ pedagogical competencies for engineering in

context.

o Prof C Winberg, project leader, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Building a community of engineering educators in South Africa.

o Prof D Das, acting project leader, Central University of Technology

A collaborative network to enhance engineering pedagogy using phenomena-based

learning and research-led teaching and mentoring

o Mr R Brown (Nelson Mandela University) and Ns M Gogela-Smith (Walter

Sisulu University)

Enhancing Staff Capacity in Faculties of Engineering at UoTs

o Dr A Padaaychee; project leader, South African Technology Network

Master Classes for Engineering Educators

o Prof B Collier-Reed; project leader, University of Cape Town

Followed by discussion session and conclusions

12:00 - 12:45 Lunch

12:45 – 14:00

Enhancing Engineering research capacity

Leveraging partnerships can strengthen research capacity through exposure to resources,

environments and capabilities that would otherwise be unattainable. This session will kick

off with a landscape review on postgraduate research training in South Africa, followed by

a showcase of collaborative UK-South Africa projects which are increasing resilience whilst

actively building research capacity in SA in partnership with industry and UK universities.

Chair: Prof Kenneth Grattan FREng, Dean, City Graduate School, City University London,

UK

Presentation

Status of Postgraduate research training in engineering o Professor Johann Mouton, Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and

Technology, University of Stellenbosch (TBC)

Project Showcases:

Support for the National Flood Studies Programme through the development of

research capacity and training

o Prof Jeffrey Colin Smithers, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Advanced optical fibre sensor networks for improved structural health monitoring

applications

o Prof Andrew Leitch, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Preparing the South African Built Environment for Climate Change Resilience

(SABER)

o Dr Jacques Snyman, Tshwane University of Technology

Followed by discussion session and conclusions

14.00 – 14.20 Break

14:20 – 15:45 Addressing Emerging Issues and Technologies in Engineering

Education through partnerships

The next generation of engineers will need to be equipped to address challenges, solve

problems and take opportunities related to emerging issues and increasingly rapid

technological advancements. To do so effectively will require numerous changes in

engineering education to ensure teaching content and delivery remains relevant whilst

accreditation mechanisms adapt accordingly. This session will showcase various UK-South

Africa partnerships which are building capability in and leveraging emerging technologies

in partnership with industries, institutes and other universities to ready a state-of-the-art

skillbase.

Chair: Dr Keith Carter, RAEng Visiting Professor, University of Leicester, UK

Project Showcases

Development of additional teaching and research capacity for modern power

systems studies between The University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban University of

Technology, Eskom and The University of Bristol

o Ereola Aladesanmi, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Teaching Methods and Research into Advanced Welding Technology for Improved

Manufacturing in South Africa and the UK

o Dr Mxolisi Brendon Shongwe, Tshwane University of Technology

TUT & UoS Solar vehicle engineering development exchange programme

o Christiaan Coenrad Oosthuizen, Tshwane University of Technology

Followed by discussion session and conclusions

15:45 – 16:00

16:00 - 17:00

Coffee Break

Emerging Ideas, upscaling impact and formal conclusion This session will help draw the day’s proceedings to a close and will aim to discuss

emerging ideas for collaboration and address any queries related to upcoming funding calls

to be released by DHET and RAEng.

Facilitation by Dr Whitfield Green and Shaarad Sharma

Formal Conclusion by Workshop Chair

17:00 – 18.30

Drinks reception and informal discussions

Engineering Education and Research Capacity Building Collaboration: Perspectives from the SADC Region

Programme - 6 October 2017

09:00 – 09:30

09:30 – 10:00

Arrival, Coffee and Networking

Introduction Day 2 Opening Remarks, including a summary reflection of Day 1

o Prof L Snyman, Chair of ECSA Deans Forum (TBC) Introduction to Day 2 workshops and the Royal Academy of Engineering’s HEP SSA

and GCRF Africa Catalyst and funding opportunities open for collaboration o Dr Allyson Lawless FREng, South African Institute of Civil Engineering

10:00 – 12:00

Bridging the skills gap: Examples of Professional Engineering

Institutes and Higher Education collaboration Working together Professional Engineering Institutes (and other professional bodies) and

Universities can improve accreditation standards, engage industry to promote the

profession and help ensure that engineers are better skilled to provide stronger

engineering training. This session will give an insight to some best practise examples, both

from the SADC region and from the UK.

Chair & Opening Remarks: Prof Mike Bramhall, Emeritus Professor of Engineering

Education, Sheffield Hallam University & Member, Engineering Professors’ Council

Presentation

Dik Morling, Institute of Engineering & Technology (UK)

Oagile Kanyeto & Dr Sebusang, Botswana Institute of Engineering & University of

Botswana

Jagadish Soobarah, Institution of Engineers Mauritius

Dawn Bonfield MBE, Founder - Towards Vision & Visiting Professor in Inclusive

Engineering at Aston University

Followed by panel discussion, Q&A and conclusions

12:00 - 13:00

Lunch

13:30 –13:45

In conversation with Engr Wilson Nyemba: Instigating and

sustaining institutional change

Engr Wilson Nyemba, Former Dean, University of Zımbabwe and PhD Student, University

of Johannesburg

Followed by a Q&A, chaired by Dr Allyson Lawless FREng

13:45 – 14:45 Leveraging partnerships to impact at scale At the core of successful international projects for higher education is the ability to

demonstrate impact at scale. This session will focus on models of collaborative engagement

amongst universities across the SADC region which help generate and effectively

disseminate knowledge and learning on best practice engineering education in preparation

for funding calls to be opened in the coming months.

Chair: Professore Blasius Bavo Nyichomba, University of Dar es Salaam

Project Showcases:

Dr Frank Kavishe – University of Namibia & Durban University of Technology

Dr Mundia Muya, University of Zambia & University of Johannesburg

Bob Pullen, South African Academy of Engineering & Ramford Zwane,

Architects,Engineers, Surveyors and Allied Professionals Registration Council

(Swaziland)

Followed by discussion session and conclusions

14:45 – 15:15 Coffee Break

15:15 - 16:15 Emerging Ideas, networking and conference wrap up This session will provide forum for discussion of emerging ideas for collaboration and help

wrap up the conference, allowing participants time to network and ask questions regarding

the different funding opportunities avalable for collaboration across the SADC region.

Facilitation by Dr Whitfield Green. Louise Oloffson and Sebastian Scott

Formal Conclusion by Workshop Chair

Delegate List

Dr Diane Parker Deputy Director General: University Education

DHET

Dr Whitty Green Chief Director: Teaching and Learning Development

DHET

Mr Shiba Diketane Deputy Director DHET

Mr Calvin Pennells Assistant Director DHET

Ms Abigail Nkoe Senior Admin Office DHET

Ms Florence Kaphuka Senior Admin Office DHET

Prof Kenneth Grattan FREng Dean: City Graduate School City University London

Prof Johann Mouton Director of the Centre for Research on Science and Technology at

Stellenbosch University

Prof BI Collier-Reed

Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering

University of Cape Town

Prof Theo Andrew Professor Theo Andrew Durban University of Technology

Ms B S N Mchunu Deputy Director, High End Skills

Department of Science and Technology

Mr EL Nxumalo Programme Director Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA)

Dr J Carroll Snr Lecturer and Engineering Education Specialist

University of Johannesburg

Dr Z Simpson Lecturer University of Johannesburg

Mr M Madushele Lecturer – Manufacturing Methods University of Johannesburg

Prof LW Snyman

Director: School of Engineering University of South Africa

Ms D Ionescu

Academic Staff member – School of Engineering

University of South Africa

Professor Chris Winberg South African Research Chair (Work & Learning)

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Ms M Gogela-Smith

Acting Manager: CLTD (BCC) Academic Affairs & Research

WSU

Dr Hannah Hughes Lecturer in Exploration and Mining Geology

University of Exeter

Ms I Loots

PrEng, MEng (Water Resources Engineering)

University of Pretoria

Dr Mbulelo Ncango Director National Research Foundation (NRF)

Shaarad Sharma

Programme Manager, International – Newton Fund

The Royal Academy of Engineering

Prof. T Haupt Research Professor: Engineering University of KwaZulu-Natal

Mrs. J. Baah Acting Dean: Engineering Mangosuthu University of Technology

Prof D Hattingh Project Leader Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Prof Andrew Leitch Head of the Optical Fibre Research Unit

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Mr R Brown Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Professor Sunil (BT) Maharaj Dean: Faculty of Eng., Built Environment and IT (EBIT)

University of Pretoria

Prof Dillip Kumar Das Associate Professor, Civil Engineering Central University of Technology

Prof Y Woyessa Project Leader Central University of Technology

Dr Anshu Padayachee Project Leader South African Technology Network (SATN)

Dr Jacques van Wyk

Senior Lecturer: Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology

University of Pretoria

Dr. Mohammad Moghimi Ardekani

Lecturer: Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

University of Pretoria

Dr HM Inglis Senior Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering

University of Pretoria

Prof. R. Rawatlal Academic Leader for Chemical Engineering

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Prof Jeffrey Colin Smithers Professor in the School of Agricultural Engineering

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Prof Timothy Akindeja Head, Department of Electrical Power Engineering

Durban University of Technology

Prof Christiaan Oosthuizen Project manager Tshwane University of Technology

Mr Johannes de Vries

Project assistant manager Tshwane University of Technology

Prof Jacques Snyman Associate Professor and Head of Department: Academic and Industry

Tshwane University of Technology

Dr Mxolisi Brendon Shongwe

Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Tshwane University of Technology

Dr Allison Lawless

Managing Director, SAICE Professional Development and Projects

South African Institute of Civil Engineering

Wilson Nyemba Former Dean: University of Zimbabwe University of Johannesburg

Marthelene Buckle Consultant South African Institute of Civil Engineering

Thuba Sithole Consultant South African Institute of Civil Engineering

Zan Mlambo Consultant South African Institute of Civil Engineering

Ramford Zwane Director Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and Allied Professionals Registration Council (Swaziland)

Jagadish Soobarah Team Leader (Working Group on Engineering Accreditation)

Institution of Engineers Mauritius

Oagila Kanyeto Botswana Institute of Engineering

Martin Manuhwa Immediate Past Chair Engineering Council of Zimbabwe

Sanzan Diarra Chief Executive Officer Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers

Ignasio Ngoma Team Leader Malawi Institute of Engineers

Bob Pullen President South African Academy of Engineering

Louise Oloffson Programme Manager: Africa Catalyst Royal Academy of Engineering

Sebastian Scott Programme Officer: Higher Education Partnerships in Sub Saharan Africa

Royal Academy of Engineering

Prof Dik Morling Consultant and Visiting Professor Institute of Engineering & Technology (UK) and University of Westminster

Dr Annatoria Chinyama Lecturer University of Zimbabwe

Prof Bavo Nyichomba Associate Professor University of Dar es Salaam

Dr Suzgo Kaunda Senior Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering

University of Malawi Polytechnic

Sebusang Sebusang Senior Lecturer, Automatic Control Systems

University of Botswana

Prof Frank Kavishe Assistant Pro-Vice Chancellor University of Namibia

Dr Keith Carter RAEng Visiting Professor University of Leicester (UK)

Jacqueline Bonfield MBE Founder & RAEng Visiting Professor Towards Vision/ Aston University (UK)

Dr Elisabeth Bowman Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering

University of Sheffield (UK)

Prof Michael Bramhall Emeritus Professor of Engineering Education

Sheffield Hallam University (UK)

Prof Ifiok Otung Professor of Satellite Communications University of South Wales (UK)

Thabo Senooane Manager: Strategy Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA)

Yashin Brijmohan Executive Dean: Business, Engineering, and Technology

Monash University - South Africa