South Africa will be unable to produce enough local expertise to carry out major developmental projects unless we produce more engineers than we do at present.
Allyson Lawless, past president of the South African Institute of Civil Engineering, says the country currently produces about 190 engineering graduates a year. But, she warns, ‘this is not enough, considering huge projects such as Gautrain, the 2010 Soccer World Cup [for which a dozen stadia are to be built], the expansion of railway lines, as well as building more power stations”. Ideally, says Lawless, we should be producing 250 or more engineers a year.
A look at programmes offered at various tertiary institutions show that learners with an eye on a career in engineering are spoilt for choice.
Wits University
Called engineering and the built environment, the faculty offers traditional core engineering courses, including civil, electrical, mechanical, mining, chemical, aeronautical and industrial engineering. Courses that fall under the built environment component include architecture, quantity surveying, property studies and urban planning and development.
Matriculants need a C symbol in maths and physical science (higher grade) and D in higher-grade English for admission. However, the school has well-developed academic support programmes to help learners from disadvantaged learning backgrounds.
The faculty enjoys strong links with industry, which helps it provide bursaries, scholarships and internships.
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch’s faculty of engineering offers similar courses, as well as a degree in computer engineering and computer systems and a programme that integrates electrical and electronic engineering.
The only likely snag for English-speaking students is that the language of tuition for undergraduate and several honours courses is Afrikaans. However, students can write their assignments and examinations in English.
To be admitted, learners must have passed matric with an exemption, have an aggregate of at least 60%, a C symbol in higher- grade maths and a minimum of D in physical science.
Stellenbosch also provides a range of financial assistance options.
Mangosuthu Technikon
This institution has now been offering its national diploma in engineering for 25 years and programmes include chemical, civil, surveying, construction management, quantity surveying, mechanical and electrical engineering. Other areas of research that the faculty is involved in are water research, wind energy, intelligent control and road safety.
Students must have passed matric with exemption with at least a D symbol in higher-grade maths and physical science. Bridging programmes are also available for learners with potential.
The faculty does not provide financial assistance to learners. Those in need will have to secure loans themselves, but for those who perform well in the first year, full or partial bursaries are awarded.
Central University of Technology
Formerly known as Technikon Free State, this new outfit incorporates Vista university’s Qwaqwa campus. Its faculty of engineering has five schools and incorporates information and communication technology. It offers courses in civil engineering, the built environment, electrical and computer systems, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, design technology, and visual art.
For admission, students need a matric pass with at least a D in standard-grade maths and science. Some financial assistance is available to those who have obtained very high matric marks. The faculty maintains regular contact with the industry and undertakes research to meet the needs of both the industry and the community.