Science Park bags a gold award for industry support
Science Park bags a gold award for industry support
Mr Hendrik van der Merwe accepting the gold award from dti.
Qhawekazi Memani
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park received a gold award after being nominated by its peers for excellence in the category of Industry Support at the African Advanced Manufacturing and Composites Conference, hosted by the Department of Technology and Industry (dti), on 7 November 2018.
Mr Hendrik van der Merwe; Operations Manager at the Science Park described the event, run by Nontombi Marule; dti Director and Ms Steenecke Jensma; dti Deputy Director General, as having been well organised and attended by 1000s of delegates and day visitors keen to know more about AM, “Industry 4.0”, Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and interrogating opportunities for the South African industry in these fields.
“The Science Park management and the people involved in AM are very proud to have received the award, and this has motivated everyone to keep doing their best to keep the Science Park on the map,” said Mr van der Merwe.
He also expressed his sentiments around the industry: “It is a fait accompli – Additive Manufacturing (AM) is changing the world. It is already disrupting industries and accelerating the way products are designed and manufactured. Its time is now. This is not by chance. Decades of research and development by academics and companies have led to this point: an amazing global opportunity.
“The process will and needs to continue. The conference proceedings show a dynamic, transformative sector on the move, spurred on by digital transformation. AM is adding value and reducing costs for many industries and multiple applications. Specialists in various industries offered their point of view on the current market environment, shifts in workplace and skills requirements, and the evolution of supply chains and business models. A series of breakaway sessions from a diverse range of sectors demonstrate how additive is impacting industries today. The industrial end-users will experience a few more twists and turns on their own journey,” he said.
The overall aim for the Science Park, situated in Sebokeng, is for the grassroots community to benefit from new work opportunities created by the new approach of manufacturing products when and where they are required.
“AM technology is the best solution to manufacture small batches of products; say less than 1000 units. They do not need moulds, jigs or tooling to achieve. Small and medium enterprises can compete in this market. So, in all, it has brought job opportunities to people in the community,” concluded Mr van der Merwe.