VUT offers something for everyone at Rand Show

People enquiring at the VUT stall

Selina Rapulane

Vaal University of Technology (VUT) took advantage of one of Gauteng’s favourite Easter holiday destinations by exhibiting at the Rand Show from 30 March to 8 April.
This year, the exhibit was bigger, brighter and better than ever before.
The Analytical Chemistry staff entertained the crowds by performing experiments while teaching about safety procedures around the handling of chemicals while the Enactus students gave insights on how to create a green environment. They did so by displaying their exciting projects which included: green coal that burns for seven hours and emits less smoke than conventional coal; a hydroponics system, which is a soil-less system of farming with an irrigation pump that reuses water; Genesis, which is a mobile application that replicates a virtual office allowing employees to record production daily over their phones and give feedback in graphical form; and the Eco-dox, a chemical formula designed to degrade human waste in “pi-toilets” which remove bad odours and repel insects!
The VUT Science Park’s Additive Manufacturing (AM) team displayed its 3D printed prototypes while the Idea 2 Product (I2P) Lab, a facility that provides the ability to conceptualise, design, develop, fabricate and test innovative new ideas using entry-level AM and personal 3D printer platforms, gave a one-hour basic training session. This included basic 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD), part modelling as well as 3D printing.
The lab trained the young and old, parents and teachers, industry workers and entrepreneurs as the I2P Team believes it is relevant for everyone to be exposed to this knowledge.
The Design Department displayed the Female Urina is a device that collects urine and extracts the uria to use as fertilizer. It has the dual purpose of offering a hygienic solution in areas where toilets are not available.

VUT stall at the Randshow

The Centre of Footwear Entrepreneurship (COFE) was also on board and exhibited possible careers in the industry, such as: Footwear Cutting/Clicking Machine operators; Footwear Closing Production Machine Operators; Footwear Bottom Stock Production Machine Operators as well as Footwear Lasting and Making Production Machine Operators.
Ms Busisiwe Klaas had visitors in awe as she demonstrated a shoe from start to finish. Some even wanted to take the shoe home!
Staff and students were pleased to be a part of this event and are already planning great things for next year when the Rand Show will be celebrating its 125th anniversary.
VUT will have so much more in store for that great moment.