The Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (Redisa) has entered into a R10-million bursary partnership with Stellenbosch University to address the shortage of engineering skills and boost the number of women in the profession.
“With South Africa currently experiencing severe skills shortages in the engineering sector and only a handful of engineers being women, increasing the number of women in engineering within any company or country is a competitive advantage,” says Redisa director Stacey Davidson.
Therefore, having identified this need, Redisa aims to lend a hand in increasing the number of women in engineering through its research and development (R&D) bursaries.
“Developing women within the waste management industry is something that we feel very passionate about and R&D is just one area in which this is being achieved,” notes Davidson.
She adds that, with Redisa’s mandate to develop a new tyre recycling industry, R&D for new market advancement is critical and the company is excited to see the difference women are making in this space.
Owing to this, Redisa is currently providing 14 women students with bursaries to pursue further education in R&D at Stellenbosch University.
“As a master’s student in chemical engineering at Stellenbosch University, Kirsty Henry is one of the 14 students working with Redisa through the bursary programme. Henry received an award in May at the inaugural Redisa Recognition Awards for her work in research and innovation. The award went to the person who, through . . . research, has contributed to advancement and innovation in the field of recycling and economic development,” notes Davidson.
The funding is used to build knowledge and expertise for the country, specifically dealing with the conversion of waste tyres into chemical products, as well as creating design processes for South African conditions.