New NMU facility to support auto, marine industries
The launch of a new engagement and innovation facility at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) is ensuring the province’s well-oiled automotive and marine manufacturing industries continue like clockwork.
NMU’s engagement institute, eNtsa, launched its new facility recently to provide product and material testing to the two industries make sure innovation and precision are at the forefront of product localisation.
The engagement and innovation facility will be used to support small, micro and medium-size enterprises which require testing of their products to access contracts with automotive sector original equipment manufacturing companies.
The facility, at NMU’s ocean sciences campus, is home to advanced equipment needed for things such as environmental testing, corrosion testing chambers, a collaborative robot test bed and 3D scanning.
It has the capacity to host new expansions to support future industry needs including testing for structural integrity, hydrogen infrastructure and additively manufactured products.
NMU vice-chancellor Prof Sibongile Muthwa said the new facility was another way for the university to demonstrate its engagement philosophy of being in the service of society.
“This engagement and innovation facility will also serve as a space to give our research ambitions additional traction,” Muthwa said.
“Its launch is further demonstration of our intention to lend equal ground to our academic missions of learning and teaching, research as well as transformative engagement.”
eNtsa engineering engagement director Julien de Kler said the facility was also earmarked for future expansions to align with industry priorities.
“This expansion of facilities aligns with eNtsa’s aim to engage with manufacturing sectors, including automotive and marine, creating opportunities for engineering skills transfer, component testing for localisation and programmes which enable industry transformation.”
He said the initiative had been carried out by two collaborating parties with the support of multiple stakeholders.
The Automotive Industry Development Centre — Eastern Cape (AIDC — EC) provided the initial funding for the establishment of a facility supported by the provincial departments of finance and economic development, and environmental affairs and tourism.
Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko commended the collaboration, saying he hoped to see similar programmes at other institutions of higher learning.
“Our involvement in this initiative is testament to the growing relationship between the government and the automotive industry, and we are excited to play an active role in supporting this industry,” he said.
The SA International Maritime Institute also came on board to provide funding towards the expanded facilities for technical support and training opportunities to small and medium enterprises in SA’s marine manufacturing sector.
The facility is equipped with technologies and projects co-funded through the national Technology Station Programme, a national network of innovation and SMME support which is an initiative of the Technology Innovation Agency and the department of science and innovation.
The new facility will complement and enhance eNtsa’s current testing laboratories on NMU’s north campus, which have been supporting SA’s automotive, petrochemical and manufacturing industries for more than two decades.