By Phetogo Mabuza 03 November 2022

Professor Peter Osifo: Executive Dean-Faculty of Engineering & Technology

Last month, the Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT) Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Department (CME) embarked on an initiative to assist the Grade 12 Science and Technology learners of Lekoa Shandu Secondary School in Sharpeville in applying for placement of study at VUT. The department also donated 30 pairs of school shoes and socks to the Grade 10, 11 and 12 needy learners identified by the school, and sanitary towels in an effort to promote the dignity of the girl child. The initiative was led by the department’s Social and Outreach Committee (SOC), made up of 9 staff members with support from the school management team, in particular, the school’s Science and Technology HOD, Mr. T. Mbele.

The initiative served as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – something which speaks to one of the university’s fundamental pillars which is community engagement. Above all, the department was fulfilling its civic duty to maintain a balance between economic growth and the welfare of society and the environment. In addition to the donation, the department’s representatives also took time to share words of encouragement and motivation to the Grade 12 cohort that will be commencing their final examination. Prof. Sammy Kiambi., HOD of the CME Department, took the learners through a short introduction of the Chemical Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering fields of study and the career opportunities afforded by these disciplines.

In his talk, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Prof. Peter Osifo, stated: “Work hard and change the background you come from; nothing is impossible”.

SOCHES and METESSO students assisting the learners with online applications

The school organised transport for the Grade 12 learners pursuing Mathematics and Physical Science to visit the VUT computer labs chaperoned by their teacher Mr. C. Matione. The learners were assisted in applying for undergraduate Engineering courses for the 2023 academic year by their peers from the Society of Chemical Engineering Students (SoChES) and Metallurgical Engineering Student Society (METESSO) led by Mr. Nhlanhla Nyembe, a member of the department SOC and CME lecturer.

Appreciating the gesture, a learner representative from the school said: ”We believe that God has plans for us, to give us hope and to make us prosper; thank you for your support and encouragement. We believe that many are called, but few are chosen”. The school’s principal Mr. M. Ngalo also thanked the VUT staff for the motivation and engagement with the pupils stating, that the school perceives itself not just as a school, but a as a university in the making.

Mr. Edward Modiba stated that the Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering (CME) Department thanks the different departments of the VUT, such as the Finance Department, the Registrar’s office, IT Department, Protection Services, Advancement Department and indeed our undergraduate and postgraduate students, that made the event possible. Truly, it takes a whole orchestra to play a symphony.

Present at the event were the following VUT staff members; Ms. Mikateko Baloyi, Prof. Alfayo Alugongo, Mr. Edward Modiba, Mr. Moshe Mello, Prof. Sammy Kiambi (HOD – CME Department), Ms. Letsabisa Lerotholi (Chairperson of the SOC – CME Department), Ms. Salvation Muthubi, Mr. G. Mathebula and Mr. Robert Mbedzi. This was a recommendable gesture by the department as it is one thing to encourage learners to apply for tertiary education, and another to hold their hand, give them resources to implement and avail guidance throughout the application process. This was an incredibly fulfilling event for the Engineering team. Click here for more pictures.