The Faculty of Engineering at Stellenbosch University hosted its sixth Industry Showcase on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, in Sandton. The event once again brought together stakeholders from industry and Stellenbosch academics and researchers to exchange ideas and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
Prof Wikus van Niekerk, Dean of the Faculty, opened the event with an overview of the Faculty’s strong student performance and its leading role within Stellenbosch University as a research-intensive faculty. He emphasised that the University needs the support of industry to ensure its graduates are equipped for the future with the right skills, and that industry, in turn, needs the University for access to skilled talent and innovative research. “We cannot train young engineers and develop innovative solutions in isolation,” he said. “To build a more resilient and competitive South Africa, we must all work together.”
This was followed by a keynote address by Ms Mameetse Masemola, Acting Head of Infrastructure South Africa and Deputy Director-General (DDG) responsible for Infrastructure Investment Planning. She spoke about the vital role of engineering in infrastructure development to support economic growth.
Mr Tjaart van der Walt, co-founder of TymeBank, shared a partner’s view on working with Stellenbosch University and highlighted the benefits of collaboration between academia and industry. He also shared his own journey as a successful business innovator and entrepreneur after starting his career as Stellenbosch graduate with a PhD in Chemical Engineering,
The day featured nine themed sessions, offering a rich variety of presentations on the research at Stellenbosch aligned with real-world challenges. These ranged from circular bioeconomy models and low-cost biomedical innovations to artificial intelligence in industrial processes and smarter mining technologies.
The Showcase also included an Executive Lunch with guests from organisations such as Eskom, Sasol, Glencore, Gibela, ECSA and PRASA, reinforcing the Showcase’s reputation as a platform for industry engagement and strategic dialogue.
A closing panel, “Bridging the Gap: Turning Academic Partnerships into Industry Wins,” explored how universities and companies can collaborate to create tangible value, with discussion points ranging from IP navigation to leveraging emerging talent. A number of models were shared how industry can collaborate with academia with the emphasis in mutual benefit.
The Industry Showcase continues to support the Faculty’s aim of building strong industry relationships and sharing research that can make a difference.
Photo: Prof Wikus van Niekerk delivering the welcoming address at the 2025 Industry Showcase in Sandton.
