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Promtek Africa, a subsidiary of Promtek UK, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Stellenbosch University’s Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, as part of its strategic business development plan in South and Sub-Saharan Africa. This strategic alliance will foster the development of young talent, keeping the pipeline full of energetic master’s degree students eager to enter the feed milling industry as a career.
Charles Williams, managing director of Promtek, said the company understands and appreciates the critical importance of balancing theoretical foundations with practical experience. This balance helps students to develop the skills they will need for the environment where they will work within the next year or two. Williams describes the partnership with Stellenbosch University (SU) as an excellent opportunity for the industry and the university to work together.
It allows the partners to collaborate on developing specialised technology while giving students valuable national and international exposure. Students can visit local stakeholders or attend industry open days organised on campus. As part of the MoU, Promtek Africa will sponsor a master’s student’s vocational training through a scholarship and allow the student to visit Promtek UK for two weeks to work with the UK technical team. Additionally, Promtek Africa employees or invited technical experts will host guest lectures on future developments at SU’s Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.
Establishing a collaborative platform
According to Prof Johan van der Spuy, head of the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at SU, this MoU represents a major step in strengthening the relationship between industry and academia. This partnership creates opportunities to expose students to real-world industrial challenges and for students to gain practical experience while working towards their degrees. It also provides a platform for students and researchers to engage with an international industry partner, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaborative research, and the development of innovative technologies.
The department is incredibly pleased to be part of this initiative and looks forward to building a long-term relationship that will benefit the students, strengthen the department, and contribute to SU as a whole.
For more information, contact Charles Williams at charles.williams@promtek.co.za, or visit www.promtek.co.za, or https://www.su.ac.za/en/faculties/engineering/departments/mechanical-mechatronic-engineering. – Press release, Promtek Africa
