Sasol assists universities to help bridge critical future science and technology skills issues

Date

21 October, 2008

Sasol today injected an annual amount of R25 million into academia to ensure the development of world-class science and engineering graduates, to help retain and attract talented academics to teach at our universities, and to grow the engineering profession.

The investment is part of a R250 million collaborative effort that the company has committed to over a ten year period with a view to ensuring world-class teaching in disciplines of chemistry and engineering.

"This is a proactive step to help our universities meet critical research and development skills essential to the future growth and prosperity of our industry and our nation," said Sasol CE Pat Davies at the hand-over event in Johannesburg.

In addition to today's R25 million investment, the group has already spent R75 million upgrading research facilities and equipment, at a number of participating universities over the past three years.

The initiative will also contribute to the Engineering Council of South Africa's (ECSA's) commitment to growing the engineering profession by increasing the number of engineering practitioners to ensure sufficient future capacity to stimulate the economy.

"Sasol's investment in research projects, the upgrading of research facilities, the deploying of highly qualified Sasol personnel in participating universities and rotating young South African academics abroad and locally within its plants, helps us to increase resources of research and development better to achieve the goal of modernising the South Africa economy," said Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena in a video cast message.

Dr. Theuns Eloff, Vice-Chancellor of North-West University, said it was essential for industry as a whole to invest in tertiary institutions to safeguard the quality of teaching and to attract and retain skilled and experienced academics.

"The global skills shortage has resulted in many experienced academics opting to work in more lucrative private sector jobs, while ageing equipment and research facilities negatively impact the quality of teaching." Dr Eloff said.

"Sasol has established a number of academic centers of excellence and advisory boards, enabling us and students to work with global experts in a variety of science and engineering fields. Sasol also provides grants to boost academic salaries. The significance of their science and engineering experts teaching on rotation levels at collaborating universities is immeasurable," Eloff said.

The natural science and engineering faculties of the universities of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan, KwaZulu Natal, Free State, North West, Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and Pretoria, are participating in the collaboration programme.

ends

Total Stores	Division	Store Location	Address	Tel No
1	Relabelled	Salt River	29 Brickfield Road, Salt River, Cape Town	(021)4479913
2	Relabelled	Bellville	Shop 4, Corner Voortrekker Rd & Durban RD, Bellville	(021)9171860
3	Relabelled	Kenilworth	Unit number 3 access park, Chichester road, Kenilworth	(021)6714778,
4	Relabelled	Kuilsrivier	Shop 4 & 5 Access Park, Kuilsrivier	(021)9031294 061 287 3980
5	Relabelled	Mobeni	Cnr Grimsby & Leicester Rd, Mobeni, Durban	(031)4620540 W\House (031) 469 9409
6	Relabelled	Pier 14	21A Pier 14, Shopping Centre, Port Elizabeth	(041)4841575 083 5176 728
7	Relabelled	Marlboro	13 Sparten Crescent ,Marlboro , Ext 3 Johannesburg	(011) 262 0460
8	Relabelled	Soweto	Maponya Shop 200 2127 Chris hani Road, klipspruit ext5 Soweto	(011) 933 1023
9	Relabelled	Umlazi	Shop 155 Umlazi Mega City 50 Griffiths Mxenge Highway Umlazi	(031) 902 1325
10	Relabelled	Epping	10 Losack avenue , epping industrial	(021) 534 0401
1	BCWC	Kloof	Lifes on Kloof, 50 Kloof Street, Gardens ,Cape Town, shop G-15	(021) 422 1593 078 211 8051
2	BCWC	Canal Walk	Shop 619 Canal Walk , Century BLVD, Century City , Cape Town 7441	(021) 551 2891
3	BCWC	Monte Casino	Shop 80B Montecasino, No1 Monticasino Bouelvard Fourways , 2191 Magents	(011) 465 0438
4	BCWC	Menlyn	Shop UF 42 & 43 cnr atterbury road & lois avenue , menlo park , Pretoria	(012) 764 9600
5	BCWC	Balito	SHOP 608 LEONORA DRIVE,DOLPHIN COAST,BALLITO,4399	032 586 0242
6	BCWC	Rosebank	Shop GF08, The Zone, Rosebank mall, Oxford Street, Johannesburg	(011)268 1114
1	Magents	Canal Walk	Shop 08 , Century Blvd , Century City 7441	(021) 551 2533 JP CELL: 064 686 4026
2	Magents	Monte Casino	Shop 21 Montecasino, No1 Monticasino Bouelvard Fourways , 2191 Magents	(011) 465 6721 074 669 6310 073 804 4352 079 884 7607
3	Magents	Menlyn	MENLYN MALL , SHOP G190 CNR ATTERBURY ROAD & LOIS AVENUE,MENLO PARK,PRETORIA	(012) 348 4725 073 8677 468 - Sieya , kiley , OUPA, Micheal
4	Magents	Balito	SHOP 608 LEONORA DRIVE,DOLPHIN COAST,BALLITO,4399	061 521 7446 032 586 1467
1	WSA	Menlyn	MENLYN MALL ,LF41A CNR ATTERBURY ROAD & LOIS AVENUE,MENLO PARK,PRETORIA	Vicky - 078 816 1921 land line - 012 348 4766
6	BCWC	Rosebank	Shop GF08, The Zone, Rosebank mall, Oxford Street, Johannesburg	(011)268 1114
1	Magents	Canal Walk	Shop 08 , Century Blvd , Century City 7441	(021) 551 2533 JP CELL: 064 686 4026
2	Magents	Monte Casino	Shop 21 Montecasino, No1 Monticasino Bouelvard Fourways , 2191 Magents	(011) 465 6721 074 669 6310 073 804 4352 079 884 7607
3	Magents	Menlyn	MENLYN MALL , SHOP G190 CNR ATTERBURY ROAD & LOIS AVENUE,MENLO PARK,PRETORIA	(012) 348 4725 073 8677 468 - Sieya , kiley , OUPA, Micheal
4	Magents	Balito	SHOP 608 LEONORA DRIVE,DOLPHIN COAST,BALLITO,4399	061 521 7446 032 586 1467
1	WSA	Menlyn	MENLYN MALL ,LF41A CNR ATTERBURY ROAD & LOIS AVENUE,MENLO PARK,PRETORIA	Vicky - 078 816 1921 land line - 012 348 4766

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Sasol assists universities to help bridge critical future science and technology skills issues

Sasol assists universities to help bridge critical future science and technology skills issues