The South African Institution of Civil Engineering’s (SAICE) annual National Intellectual Property (IP) Showdown, where leading universities across the country submit their top performing student’s final year research projects for evaluation in front of a team of eminent judges, recently took place at the SANLAM Auditorium, in Sandton.
The event is designed to recognise excellence amongst civil engineering students for their research efforts, presenting their civil engineering university’s research and investigation projects, which is part of the national curriculum for the undergraduate’s final year civil engineering degree.
Students are required to address a topical issue and then conduct research in accordance with pre-set deliverables. Upon completion, the student then presents their findings to a panel of judges, which comprises of civil engineering industry leaders.
SAICE CEO, Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane, explains that the presentation criteria are measured against ascertaining if the contestants have gained an in-depth understanding of the research
project; determining whether contestants showcase adequate communication skills by presenting their work to a diverse audience; and exposing them to the industry and to key players within the industry.
The panel of judges comprised:
- Lorato Ntsie – Director at MAP SD AFRIKA, BIM facilitator at CYPE; also champion of the SAICE Support our Students pillar
- Dlozi Mnisi – Consulting Project Manager at the Gauteng Department of Settlements; also Chairperson of the SAICE Future Leaders Panel
- Fredrich Slabbert – Director at Sciendum Academy; also SAICE Council and Executive Board Member
- Oliver Rowe – Head of Membership at SAICE; and
- Lethu Dlanjwa – Project Manager at SANRAL: also Chairperson of the SAICE Transportation Division
Fredrich Slabbert explained that it is of paramount importance for engineers to be able to communicate easily to the general public so that they are able to understand often highly complex topics. “The industry has been guilty of perpetuating the perception that engineers are ‘boffins in white coats’ that spend their time in laboratories! The IP Showdown highlights the contestants’ ability to dispel that; and present in an unfamiliar environment to a non-technical audience in a manner that fosters understanding. The National IP Showdown is an invaluable platform for upcoming civil engineering professionals.”
Lorato Ntsie, echoed Slabbert’s remarks adding: “This year was remarkable as we found a theme that resonated throughout many of the presentations – it was underpinned by an ethos of environmental consciousness. I’m immensely proud of our young graduates for their attitude and commitment in undertaking demanding research projects. These are our future engineers with whom the built environment is entrusted, and their enthusiasm and approach provides the confidence that their skills will meet the challenges of the many projects that lie ahead.”
This year’s finalists included Azhar Mohammed Hoosain from Stellenbosch University; Simone Singh and Tsematse Thabo Tsematse from WITS University; Deandre Pillay from the University of Pretoria; Francine Naicker from the University of KwaZulu Natal; Sibongile Khoza from the University of Johannesburg; and Mahima Maharaj from the University of Cape Town.
The winners of this year’s IP Showdown were Simone Singh and Tsematse Thabo Tsematse from Wits University whose presentation focused on the “Use of Coal Bottom Ash as a Partial Replacement of Portland Cement in Concrete”; followed by Francine Naicker, from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in second place, who discussed “Sustainable Regional Freight Management Systems in South Africa”. In third place was Mahima Maharaj from the University of Cape Town who presented on “Feasibility Of Growing Bio-Building Materials From Carbon Dioxide & Bacteria.”
Phayane-Shakhane concludes: “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the contestants for their exceptional presentations, and SAICE is grateful to all of the sponsors whose support made this event possible including BVi Consulting Engineers, Leica Geosystems and SANLAM.