Dr Christiaan Oosthuizen, the team leader, taking the premier through the making of the solar car.
The Premier’s first stop was at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSRI), where TUT’s Center for Tissue Engineering is located. This was followed by a visit to the Center for Advanced Tooling at the Soshanguve South campus, with his final stop at the Pretoria Campus. where he went on a walk about to see the work done by research staff and students. This included, Sunchaser 4, the University’s Solar Car, robotic and mechatronic inventions as well as cutting edge technology at the Gibela Research Chair in Manufacturing and Skills Development aimed at bridging the large skills gap between the transport manufacturing industries and the citizens, particularly the youth and university graduates that are the future employers and the workforce of the country.
Makhura’s visit formed part of the provincial government’s efforts to mobilise all Gauteng universities towards improved collaboration with the provincial government in addressing the country and economic engine’s technological skills, ICT and 4IR needs.
“What I saw here is amazing. I got to know more about TUT's Advanced Institute for Tooling at the Soshanguve campus and how they make plastic parts for the automotive sector. I also observed the best cutting-edge capabilities in the country at the institution’s Centre for Tissue Engineering situated at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the Pretoria main campus,” he said.
TUT Staff at the Centre for Tissue Engineering showcasing their work to the premier, which includes engineering of allograft growth factor-type implants designed for clinical applications.
The Premier was particularly impressed with the support and training that TUT provided for township entrepreneurs in supporting “emerging small businesses, black industrialists and businesses owned by women and the youth."
Makhura added that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was eminent between the University and the Gauteng government. The memorandum will focus on TUT’s strengths and areas of expertise, such as skills transfer, problem-solving innovation and research.
“The Gauteng government is excited about the partnership with TUT and we look forward to the impactful projects already in the pipeline,” said Makhura.
In response to the Premier’s speech, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, TUT’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal highlighted that the University’s focus is on the future – the future of work, technology, humanity and the future of planet earth.
Prof Maluleke said, to this end, TUT’s 2025 Strategy revolves around the nurturing and production of future ready graduates. “We are indeed also grooming graduates who will not only get work, but also create work. We look forward to collaboration with the provincial government in this regard,” he concluded.
For those who would like to listen to the Premier's address, please use the link: https://fb.watch/cZW81GhTB5/