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

20th April 2016

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.