BASF co-sponsored innovative diploma course yields first graduates at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

20th April 2016

  

Font size: - +

  • Contribution addresses the critical scarce-skills needs of the chemical processing industry
  • BASF remains committed  to supporting the upliftment of science, mathematics and engineering programmes

BASF South Africa joins the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s InnoVenton Institute in celebrating the recent graduation of students who were part of the first intake of the Diploma in Chemical Process Technology – a pioneering course that was tailor-made to meet the critical scarce-skills needs in the South African chemical processing industry. Fourteen diplomates have successfully completed the course, 10 of whom have already secured jobs in various industries.

In 2010, BASF, along with partner companies in the chemical industry, namely PetroSA, Umicore Catalyst SA, and Heraeus South Africa, played an integral role in the development of an industry-specific programme, which sees the chemical process industry’s skills being uplifted. Skills gaps in the chemical-related qualifications on offer were identified, and, together with the InnoVenton team, this group of industry leaders developed a 3-year National Diploma in Chemical Process Technology (CPT). The course, which is the only one of its kind in South Africa, was launched in 2013. It was developed in close collaboration with international experts, based on a competency profile for a chemical process technician.

The diploma programme sees process operators and controller technicians being equipped to not only control a process plant but also to support chemical and process engineers in various design and problem solving projects. The development stage of this qualification took three years to plan and gain all the necessary approvals through the higher education qualification structures.

Since the establishment of the CPT in 2013, BASF has sponsored a number of bursaries for students studying towards the diploma.  In the founding year, BASF provided two bursaries, while 2015 saw nine students being supported by the company.  Industry support extends further to on-site visits by the students to help them gain a hands-on understanding of the practical application of their studies.

BASF South Africa's Port Elizabeth Mobile Emissions Catalysts Site Director, Paul Allday, said that developing future engineers and scientists is crucial for the success of the chemical industry: “At BASF we are firmly committed to supporting the upliftment of science, mathematics and engineering programmes that will ultimately support the sustainability of our industry.  We are proud to have been involved with InnoVenton over the years,” he said.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

Comments

The functionality you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION