| SUNFin celebrates new milestones | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9595 | | SUNFin celebrates new milestones | Petro Mostert | <p></p><p>The SUNFin project team recently celebrated new milestones after working tirelessly to map the financial business processes in Oracle Cloud Financials (OCF) to meet Stellenbosch University's requirements and adhere to OCF global best practice. </p><p>The team has also populated the training guides within the Oracle Guided Learning (OGL) software to align with the mapped business processes. The team will use OGL to train and support the end users of the new SUNFin solution. </p><p>“I am extremely proud of the SUNFin project team members for achieving these milestones. I know how hard the entire team worked to meet these timelines while continuing their normal duties to provide the required financial support to the university," says Chief Director Finance and SUNFin project owner, Manie Lombard. </p><p>The IT Integration team has worked closely with the Finance subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop various integration solutions to ensure that the required SU peripheral systems, such as Planon, FKT, and the vehicle fleet system, will be able to “talk to" the OCF application when SUNFin goes live. </p><p>Denisha Jairam-Owthar, Chief Director IT, believes that IT and business should work closely together as a team to develop IT solutions that meet the needs of the University. “How the IT Integration team has adopted an agile way of working with the Finance team on the SUNFin project, has created the benchmark for future projects at Stellenbosch University," she says. </p><p>The project team is currently setting up the OCF test system and loading SU data into this environment. User acceptance testing will follow. The testing phase is planned to run until the end of February 2023.The training material will be finalised after testing, and end-user training is planned for May 2023. <br></p><p>“We will communicate the cutover and deployment processes and dates to relevant staff members within the faculties and PASS divisions well in advance to ensure a successful go-live in June 2023," confirmed Lombard. <br></p><p>Please send your questions or comments regarding the project to <a href="mailto:sunfin@sun.ac.za">sunfin@sun.ac.za</a>. For more information, please visit <a href="/sunfin">www.sun.ac.za/sunfin</a>. <br></p><p><br></p> |
| The women in the glass | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9521 | | The women in the glass | Petro Mostert | <p>When you get what you want in your struggle for self<br>And the world makes you queen for a day,<br>Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,<br>And see what that woman has to say.<br><br>For it isn't your partner, nor your mother or friend <br>Who's judgement upon you must pass;<br>The person whose verdict counts most in your life<br>Is the one staring back from the glass.<br><br>She is the person to please, never mind all the rest,<br>For she is with you up to the end.<br>And you've passed your most difficult test<br>If the woman in the glass is your friend.<br><br>(Oh) You may fool many, down the pathway of life,<br>And get pats on your back as you pass. (Well deserved! Of course)<br>But your silent reward will be heartache and tears<br>If you've cheated the woman in the glass<br><br><em>Author: Dale Wimbrow</em><br></p> |
| Irfaan built his career path on wise decisions | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9522 | | Irfaan built his career path on wise decisions | Petro Mostert | <p><br><br></p><p></p><p>There was no significant career guidance in his school years, so he used the Weekend Argus's job section to see what job opportunities there were in the world beyond school and university. The vast number of finance-related vacancies was his cue to pursue a career in accounting and finance, says Irfaan Dalvie, Stellenbosch University's new Senior Director: Operations in the Responsibility Centre: Operations and Finance.</p><p>Born and bred in Cape Town, Irfaan's mind was set on accounting, and he enrolled at UWC to do his BCom after school. “I made my career decision based on an urgent need for future financial security. When I became a chartered accountant, there were as many as 22 000 CAs in South Africa, with less than five percent being black people. It was not an obvious choice as a career in the Indian and coloured communities at the time, but I knew that if I wanted a secure future, this was the way to go," said Irfaan, the first CA in his family.</p><p>Irfaan's role is to strategically assist the RC Operations and Finance leadership team and be responsible for planning and facilitating the development of SU's portfolio of properties, amongst others. “Irfaan's role is also that of the University's controller, conducting internal risk investigations, ad hoc finance, governance, and operational related investigations and managing the secretarial function of the Ethics hotline committee," says Prof Stan du Plessis, SU's Chief Operating Officer. Irfaan will assist Prof du Plessis in operational matters of the University and implement the RC's strategy and business plan in line with that of the University. He will also assist Prof Du Plessis in identifying and implementing improvements to business processes to increase efficiency and reduce costs.</p><p> </p><p>Before joining SU, Irfaan was, amongst others, responsible for managing and generating new sustainable sources of third-stream income for UWC. Prof du Plessis said Irfaan's experience in property development projects in his previous roles, especially at UWC, made him the obvious choice for this role. The highlight of his work at UWC was creating spaces and places for students that will transform and enhance their experiences on campus, which he believes cannot be done without wide consultation with all stakeholders. For him, it is essential that projects, no matter how small, should have a sustainable and transformational impact.</p><p>“I believe SU can significantly impact the region, the country, and even the world, and I am excited to be part of this process. There are a lot of exciting plans and projects on the horizon, which I cannot wait to be part of and help to contribute to the future we are building on our SU campuses."</p><p>Before working at UWC for the past seven years, Irfaan worked mainly in corporate finance across various sectors. After completing his articles at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), he joined Ernst & Young in 2001 and spent thirteen years as part of their corporate finance and risk management teams in various roles both locally and overseas.</p><p>Father of two, Irfaan, loves the time spent with his children. “We are best of friends and love the outdoors and exploring - especially places where there is water. He loves paying it forward via work done for NPOs, but also enjoys cooking and gardening, says Irfaan. “My latest project is growing fruit trees, and I currently nurture fifteen different varieties in the garden."<br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p> |
| Stellenbosch University extends closing date for funding applications till 30 November 2022 | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9507 | | Stellenbosch University extends closing date for funding applications till 30 November 2022 | Petro Mostert | <p>Stellenbosch University's (SU) Centre for Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans (CUBL) has extended the closing date for 2023 Stellenbosch University funding applications until 30 November 2022 to allow more students to apply for financial support.<br></p><p>Applications for SU funding opened on 1 July 2022 and will now close on 30 November 2022.</p><p>“By extending the closing date, we are broadening the opportunity for students to apply for funding, especially students from the so-called <em>missing middle</em> (gross household income between R350 000 and R600 000 per annum)," says CUBL Deputy Director, Gerard Paris, <br></p><p><strong>SU funding</strong></p><p>A bursary can make a university education affordable. Current and prospective undergraduate students qualify for SU financial support based on two main criteria: <strong>financial need</strong> and <strong>academic merit</strong>. Students granted financial support receive the latter in direct proportion to the extent of their financial needs regardless of race and gender. Financial need is determined with the information submitted by the student regarding his or her financial circumstances and is verified by a third party.</p><p><strong>E-application process</strong></p><p>SU has a new online application process and student access to the new secure, external site is gained using their <strong>unique eight-digit SU# (student number) and password</strong>. CUBL highly recommends students <em>first</em> review the <a href="https://finaid.sun.ac.za/how-to-apply"><strong>How to Apply</strong></a> instructions to prepare the required support documents before applying via the my.sun portal. The online form takes approximately twenty minutes to complete.</p><p>All prospective and current undergraduate students are encouraged to apply – or reapply – and thus be registered on the CUBL database for 2023 funding allocations, should financial circumstances change unexpectedly.</p><p>For any application-related queries, students are requested to please call SU client services on 021 808 9111 or go to the website at <a href="https://finaid.sun.ac.za/">https://finaid.sun.ac.za/</a></p><p> </p><p>For media enquiries</p><p>Petro Mostert</p><p>M <a href="mailto:petromostert@sun.ac.za">petromostert@sun.ac.za</a><br><br></p><p><br></p> |
| SU firmly on its journey to net zero with the launch of its Environmental Sustainability Plan | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9498 | | SU firmly on its journey to net zero with the launch of its Environmental Sustainability Plan | Petro Mostert | <p>Stellenbosch University (SU) has embarked on an ambitious journey to net zero in 2050 with the launch of the institution's first Environmental Sustainability Plan (SUESP). <br></p><p>Prof Wim de Villiers, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor, said SU's Environmental Sustainability Plan is the University's ambitious aim to meet the sustainability challenge in light of the climate crisis. The plan reduces the environmental impact of our campuses and demonstrates our commitment to sustainability from the perspectives of the environment, resources, and society. "SU can and should act as a catalyst for a sustainable society, offering new knowledge and insights and leading by example.<br></p><p>"As one of Africa's foremost and leading research-intensive universities, SU should play a significant role in forging the path to a sustainable future. Sustainability is a core component of SU's strategy in which we aim to create a community of sustainable changemakers. Our responsibility is to use our resources in such a way as to leave a thriving environment for future generations," said Prof de Villiers.</p><p>The University is guided by its Vision 2040 and Strategic Framework 2019-2024, in which a crucial priority is the promotion of systemic sustainability in a social, economic, and environmental sense to realise the institutional goal of bringing about profound and sustainable change and regeneration in all facets and functions at SU.</p><p>Nicolette van den Eijkel, Chief Director: Facilities Management (SUFM), says the SUESP details the guiding principles, targets, and priorities for 2020-2025 and supports SU's Vision 2040. "The goal is to ensure that SU achieves carbon neutrality by 2030. These are bold steps towards becoming a benchmark for peer institutions locally and internationally."</p><p>According to van den Eijkel SU must include environmental sustainability as a focus area across all aspects of SU's operational management, teaching, and research, as articulated in Vision 2040.</p><p>She says the University supports the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a pathway to responsible development. "As a member of national and international organisations and institutes, SU actively engages in the broader national and international aspects of sustainability. Apart from the SDGs, the University's Vision 2040 also considers South Africa's own National Development Plan and the African Union's Agenda 2063. As such, SU is uniquely positioned to drive the pursuit of the SDGs and environmental sustainability locally and on the African continent through promoting environmental sustainability at SU."</p><p>Nadeem Gafieldien, Director Property Services, says SU has already commenced with various projects included in the plan, such as implementing grey water systems on all campuses. Gafieldien reminded us about the drought crisis in 2017/18, which necessitated the installation of a water-saving plant and facilities such as these large greywater plants. "These changes aim to build resilience in our systems to weather future environmental shocks. While reducing consumption, cost, and carbon, we achieved a 50 percent reduction in potable water consumption on campus."</p><p>Facilities Management will implement projects related to the ESP over the next five years to the value of more than R 100 million. These projects will help drive the eight main themes: energy and emissions, water, waste, biodiversity and land use, travel and mobility, sustainability buildings, goods and services, and engagements. These cumulatively represent SUFM's commitment to the implementation of this plan successfully with the help of all SU's stakeholders," said Gafieldien.</p><p>Gafieldien said SUFM's Environmental Sustainability team, under the guidance of John de Wet, Manager: Environmental Sustainability, has already started to raise awareness on our campuses and through SU's website and social media platforms with a themed campaign depicting SU's commitment to reaching its sustainability goals. Under the slogan "Together on our journey to net zero carbon," the team encourages staff and students to engage in various planned projects and events.</p><p>In the words of Prof De Villiers: "Stellenbosch University is educating the world's future leaders. We must empower them to become global citizens for sustainable development. In showing my full support for SU's environmental sustainability vision, I call upon the entire SU community to become our partners in achieving the ambitions set out in the SU Environmental Sustainability Plan."</p><p>To download a copy of SU's Environmental Sustainability Plan, click <a href="/english/management/OperationsandFinance/Pages/Env-sus.aspx">here</a><br></p><p><br></p><p>Media enquiries</p><p>Petro Mostert</p><p>E <a href="mailto:petromostert@sun.ac.za">petromostert@sun.ac.za</a></p><p>M 0823346193<br></p><p><br></p> |
| I am enough | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9416 | | I am enough | Petro Mostert | <p><br><br></p><p>"Beautiful people, believing I am enough is an important part of a healthy relationship with myself. Those of us who stand firmly in this belief can be mentors and provide support for others. Those who struggle with this self-belief can seek mentorship and support from communities like this. In building on progress already made, let's hold each other up, let's affirm each other."</p><p>We are quoting our guest speaker on our RC's Women's Day 2022 celebration, Sindiswa Calana, a people development and relationship systems practitioner.</p><p>Sindiswa is no stranger to some of Stellenbosch University's women and was the obvious choice when the organising committee needed someone who could give that more profound meaning to the theme of "Just Be".</p><p>Her "peanut gallery", which keeps her entertained, she says, is also the source of her (and many of us) self-imposed limitations. She encourages people to understand and embrace their inner voice (or voices). "Acknowledge the critic when it comes up. Do not let it doubt your abilities or diminish your confidence. Ask the question: how is it trying to be helpful? Extract the useful information, thank your inner critic for raising some valid points you need to consider and then move on from it. Don't let this "imposter syndrome" sow seeds of self-doubt."</p><p>While dealing with her inner critic, on the one hand, Sindiswa encourages us to diligently train our cheerleader voice – the one who encourages you to "be you" and to believe in yourself. "You have to train this voice – like a muscle, so there is no chance for self-doubt to take over."</p><p>"Why can't I get the conversation with that person out of my mind?"</p><p>"Why does so-and-so seem to think they can make decisions for me?"</p><p>"Why did I react so strongly when that person made that remark?"</p><p>For Sindiswa, it was a pivotal realisation for her when she realised that many of her frustrations are not about "them" but "her" – "me". The role I've assigned to "me", how I see myself, and the extent to which I exercise agency in my life.</p><p>"My relationship with myself is a critical lens through which I view and make sense of the world. The more I understand myself, the better I can own my actions and advocate for myself from a place of self-understanding in a world where it is easy to get lost in the noise from out there – by what standards we should live by, the definitions of self and what we should regard as important. My journey led me inward and to realise that investing in my relationship with myself is not selfish. It is an act of self-love."</p><p>Her question to us was: "What is your relationship with yourself, and how does it support you in just being? And remember, to "Just Be" means different things to different people."</p><p>One thing she noticed in her life is how easy it is to be kind to others yet be quite hard on yourself. "Each person in this room has overcome, jumped over hurdles, persisted. The women who marched to the Union Buildings would grin from ear to ear looking into this room," Sindiswa said.</p><p>She said that when one believes she is enough, she can easier permit herself to be. "In our 21st-century lives, it is easier to be swept away by doing, doing and doing. Our world makes it incredibly easy to be human doings rather than human beings."</p><p>That is where self-care comes in. "Being a giver by nature, I realised that giving brings me joy and does not leave me feeling empty. So, I've identified and intentionally engaged in what makes me smile, what makes my heart skip a beat, and what fills me with inexplicable joy. Knowing these things enables me to own that replenishment: it equips me to tell others what I need."</p><p>Sindiswa said self-care is no grand gesture. It should be a daily discipline. "To "Just Be", I am grounded in my relationship with myself and believing I am enough; it gives me permission to "Just Be", and self-care fuels the engine for all of it. Tap into that power and let your lights shine – encouraging others to turn on their lights too."<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br></p> |
| Just Be | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9409 | | Just Be | Petro Mostert | <p><br><br></p><p>For the fifth time, our Responsibility Centre Operations and Finance celebrated Women's Day together and in what better place than the breathtaking Johannesdal overlooking the Banhoek valley mountains? On this rainy Friday afternoon (19 August 2022), 190 women came dressed up in black and white with here and there a zhuzh of colour in a hat, a scarf, shoes, or an earring. They came here to JUST BE.</p><p>During lockdown, we had to improvise and make do with whatever online creativity allowed us to design. This year, the mountains, the rain, and the fantastic women of this RC made the event just fabulous. "I remain the proudest head of a Responsibility Centre in the University on account of how you do your work in the University," said a proud Prof Stan du Plessis, our host and the person who started this initiative.</p><p>Our finance division had to pull out all the stops to create a magical event this year. Our co-host, Manie Lombard, chief director of Finance, and his organising committee ensured we would remember this event for a long time.</p><p>And what better theme than Just Be? As Prof Stan says: "some of the most complex philosophical ideas of the last century were about "being"." In highlighting the importance of our work life versus our personal life and whether or not this should be a balancing act like being on a seesaw, Prof Stan preferred to call this a work-life-integration.</p><p>"I hasten to add that I don't mean your work should dominate your life, especially not your family's life. I am not saying integrate your family time into your work or allow your work to dominate your family time. Your work at the University should be meaningful enough, and you don't have to feel transactional about it. When we do meaningful work, we don't feel we have to sacrifice a part of ourselves. We can really BE at work and BE OURSELVES in such meaningful work."</p><p>This year Prof Stan took inspiration from a famous young Pakistani, Malala Yousafzai, a youth and women activist who became the youngest recipient of the Nobel prize when she received the peace prize at 17.</p><p>She said: "I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot all succeed when half of us is held back."</p><p>"I am delighted to say that women's voices are increasingly heard in this University. You can increasingly "be yourself" at SU, at all levels, including the executive level. Of the five Chief Directors in our RC, four are women, and two of the University's four vice-Rectors will be women next month. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. Vroue van die VS: Bedryf en Finansies. Ek hoop dat julle werk en julle werk en lewe integrasie betekenisvol sal wees. Dat julle julself kan wees, dat julle by die US kan wees soos julle ook tuis is. Be yourself at SU; that is the valuable contribution we need from each of you," said Prof Stan.</p><p><br></p> |
| All hands-on deck for Mandela day 2022 at AF Louw | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9405 | | All hands-on deck for Mandela day 2022 at AF Louw | Petro Mostert | <p>Since 2009 we have celebrated Mandela Day (18 July) to carry on Madiba's work and inspiration to change the world, or at least a part of it. This year, Facilities Management's staff, suppliers, and contractors pulled out all the stops to give back to the AF Louw Primary School in Stellenbosch.<br></p><p>One by one, construction vehicles pulled in and out came the ladders, paintbrushes, screwdrivers, weed eaters and chain saws. There was no one giving instructions, calling out demands. Instinctively everyone started to work on something they were good at – planting vegetables in the new garden, thinning out bushes and trees, fixing leaks, laying new tiles, painting walls, and restoring an old rusty pavilion next to the sport field where the lawnmower tractor is doing its thing.<br></p><p><br></p><p>One by one, construction vehicles pulled in and out came the ladders, paintbrushes, screwdrivers, weed eaters and chain saws. There was no one giving instructions, calling out demands. Instinctively everyone started to work on something they were good at – planting vegetables in the new garden, thinning out bushes and trees, fixing leaks, laying new tiles, painting walls, and restoring an old rusty pavilion next to the sports field where the lawnmower tractor is doing its thing.</p><p>Principal Anne Tarr welcomed the teams, who said she expected a few people to come to the school to fix some stuff, but instead, it was a full-scale operation. "Thank you for touching lives here today. We must teach our children to dream; this is how dreams come true. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."</p><p>Because Principal Tarr and this school touched her life, Aloma Fourie, Manager: maintenance planning at FM's Property Services, was delighted that this school was picked for this year's Mandela project.</p><p>Aloma quickly assembled a team with Robert Todkill, technical advisor, and the maintenance team at FM to get the maintenance wheels rolling. Over 170 people helped somehow on Mandela day to improve the school. "You give a job like this to Aloma, and magic happens," said Nicolette van den Eijkel, FM's Chief Director, who thanked each person for arriving and helping where they could.</p><p>Aloma said she wanted to show that SU is not an entity in isolation. "SU is part of the bigger Stellenbosch community, and what we do impacts everybody that lives here. Many of FM's staff and their children attended this school. I wish that SU inspire the children from this school as a place that is there for the bigger community."</p><p>"Some of our suppliers and staff were on site almost this whole week leading up to Mandela Day, as there was a lot of work to be done," said Brandon Como, who took the lead on this event. "It is unbelievable how everyone just came on board to make this project far better than we anticipated." Brandon and his organising committee did wonders in arranging the day's logistics and ensured everyone was there, had their tools and a much-deserved lunch. The staff even organised to collect non-perishable articles to donate to the school.</p><p>The atmosphere at AF Louw was eclectic and energetic. You could not help laughing at all the sayings from people working hand-in-hand and against the clock to restore, fix and create a place that learners will be proud to return to. People said they were privileged to be part of a group of people that give of themselves, so you cannot even find words to describe it.<br></p><p>Watch the video here: <a href="https://stellenbosch-my.sharepoint.com/personal/como_sun_ac_za/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=/personal/como_sun_ac_za/Documents/Mandela%20Day%202022/Mandela%20Day%20Video/Mandela%20day%20%28Full%29%20%281%29.mp4&wdLOR=c9196A99B-AD21-034F-B1D8-17EEC2AEA3AA&ga=1">FM's Mandela day 2022</a> for a quick glimpse of the day's activities.</p><p> "It always seems impossible until it's done," said Madiba.</p><p><br></p> |
| Stellenbosch Green School is now even greener thanks to a new solar panel system | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9366 | | Stellenbosch Green School is now even greener thanks to a new solar panel system | Petro Mostert | <p>A year ago, Cloetesville Primary School became the first school in South Africa to receive an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) after Stellenbosch University and Innovus spinout company GreenX Engineering (GXE) installed energy-saving technology at this school. On Friday, 12 August 2022, this popular Stellenbosch school, known as the Green School, received a 7.5kW solar panel (photo voltaic) system which will generate approximately 14MWh (14 000 units) of electricity per year, negating almost 13 tonnes of CO2 annually and saving of R20 000 per year while selling electricity back to the grid.<br></p><p>Behind this new Innovus startup is the team of GreenX led by Dr Jason Samuels, who, at the end of 2021, received his PhD in electrical engineering; research that led to energy cost savings at schools in the Stellenbosch and Paarl region. Samuels' mentor Prof Thinus Booysen, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Prof Saartjie Grobbelaar, a professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering, are both involved in the company.<br></p><p>Under SU's Senior Director of Social Impact and Transformation, Dr Leslie van Rooi's leadership, SU's Department of Social Impact and the Faculty of Engineering ran a campaign in 2021 in which they replaced lights at 25 no-fee or low-fee schools to help reduce their electricity expenses and in so doing reducing the burden on Eskom and the environment. "We managed to reduce the schools' energy bills with anything from 21% to as much as 39%," said Prof Booysen.</p><p>Thanks to funds still available after the initial project was completed, they could install a solar plant at Cloetesville Primary. As a separate project in 2018, the team ran an industry-funded pilot where they installed a few solar panels at Rhenish Primary, AF Louw Primary and Laerskool Stellenbosch. The very favourable results motivated Rhenish to install a large solar plant and donate the solar panels of the pilot to Cloetesville Primary.</p><p>Dr Van Rooi said Stellenbosch University remains committed to partnerships with local schools on many levels. “We do this specifically to impact our schools and communities positively. It is wonderful that we can also contribute to the learning opportunities of Cloetesville Primary in this way. My sincere appreciation to our colleagues and the school community that we can work together in this way."</p><p>Dr Van Rooi said that since the school now has a 10kW inverter, SU will donate a few more solar panels to ensure the plant can run at full capacity.</p><p></p><p>Mr Salie Abrahams, the Deputy-Director General: Education Planning at the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), said this project shows what schools can do to help communities to recover from a very difficult period. “Today is a fantastic day. Here we see first-hand how schools can take on a broader role in communities, providing services that can help rejuvenate them. With this creative project, we see how schools can both help to address the national energy crisis and improve the resilience and general wellbeing of the local community of Cloetesville. We now need to find a way to develop a scalable model where we can roll this out to more schools so that more communities can benefit from this innovation." Abrahams said the Western Cape Government and WCED want to participate in this process. “We see moving this project forward as a priority and look forward to building the partnerships to create the platform needed to get as many schools as possible on board. This project has the full support of the WCED going forward," said Abrahams.</p><p>Mr Alex Hall, principal of Rhenish, said today is a celebration of the human spirit of making this dream a reality. “We are privileged to have installed our own solar plant this year with a 22kW inverter which saves them 42 MWatt hours per year. “We are especially proud of the 40 tonnes of carbon emissions we save. It is with great pride that we could give back to the Stellenbosch community in this way," said Hall.</p><p>In thanking the partners of this project, Cloetesville Primary headmaster, Mr Rodger Cupido, said the school will not only see the financial benefits of this energy-saving system but is now part of a more significant learning process that they can take to their community. "We are excited to be part of this and very thankful to all the partners involved. It is fantastic to have all these people here who are making a difference, and we hope to build on this relationship in future on our green journey as the Green School."</p><p><strong>More schools to benefit</strong></p><p>The WCED recently awarded GreenX Engineering the opportunity to pilot IoT energy management and lighting efficiency retrofits at 25 no-fee schools in the Western Cape and help them save on their electricity bills. The project, to the value of R6 million, saw GreenX doing extensive energy audits at the various schools to determine how they could retrofit them with energy-saving lights and meters to measure and manage their usage.</p><p>“We have already identified 100 no-fee schools in the Western Cape that will benefit from our energy interventions," says Samuels. “We hope that after successfully completing the work on the first 25 schools, the WCED will extend our project to include the rest of the 75 schools. These energy interventions will result in huge cost savings for the schools but would benefit the WCED greatly as they will have a blueprint to roll out to other schools in the region."</p><p>Says Samuels: “We foresee that a school will be able to save anything between 20-40% on their energy bills, which could mean an average saving of around R3 000 per school per month and a total of R36 000 per year." </p><p>NOTE:</p><p>On Friday, 12 August, the University's Senior Director of Social Impact and Transformation, Dr Leslie van Rooi, and the principal of Rhenish Primary, Mr Alex Hall, handed over the solar plant to the principal of Cloetesville Primary, Mr Rodger Cupido. The handover took place at Cloetesville Primary at 9 am (Friday 12 August).<br></p><p><br></p> |
| Innovus celebrates entrepreneurial women making our world a better place | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9344 | | Innovus celebrates entrepreneurial women making our world a better place | Petro Mostert | <p>Every year South Africa commemorates Women's month in August as a tribute to the brave women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 to stop forcing women to carry passes. It is 2022, and we have come a long way, something we see daily at Stellenbosch University's innovation and commercialisation division, Innovus, where they nurture and develop entrepreneurial women's innovations into viable businesses that make significant differences in the world we live.</p><p>“We have them all," says Anita Nel, SU'S Chief Director: Innovation and Commercialisation. “Women scientists who very recently patented a ground-breaking research method, which detects micro clots in the blood of Long COVID patients; an engineer who helped establish a green energy company that is now helping schools to reduce their energy bills; a marine biologist that is helping to make the sea safe for sharks and people; our creative and energetic new Matie Shop manager who is taking our SU brand to the stars; and our women technology transfer team at Innovus who work around the clock to create commercially viable businesses from SU scholars' research. And there are many more. We, at Innovus, are inspired by each of these women." </p><p>Nel, who recently returned from Amsterdam with accolades for SU from the University-Industry Innovation Network (UIIN) as runner-up for Outstanding Entrepreneurial and Engaged University based on the work done via Innovus, believes it is the women entrepreneurs of today who are creating a better tomorrow for everyone. “I see this daily as innovations from our female researchers land on our desks. We have to support our women entrepreneurs because their legacy will create a better world for future generations," says Nel. </p><p>“I am privileged to have seen the enormous effect of women's successes contributing directly to local economies and touching the lives of the people in those communities. Women are constantly looking for ways to invest back into their families and community – to uplift education, and ensure the best nutrition, wellbeing, and children's health. Their innovations are also more likely to provide services and opportunities to their communities."</p><p>As one of the presenters at the UIIN conference in June this year, Anita shared her learnings in establishing SU's entrepreneurial ecosystem, which consists of Innovus's Technology Transfer Office, University of Stellenbosch Enterprises, the SU LaunchLab and SUNCOM, SU's division focusing on the commercialisation of non-academic services and projects. “The collaboration of these entities, together with the establishment of the University Technology Fund and the SU Investment Committee is providing the platform for entrepreneurship to flourish."</p><p>Nel believes Universities in Africa can play a significant role in supporting entrepreneurs to become economic growth agents in their regions, starting and growing ventures. “In growing SU as an entrepreneurial university, we will develop the Institution to innovate, recognise and create opportunities, take risks and respond to challenges and eventually become a natural incubator that supports its academics, technicians and students to create new ventures," said Nel, referring to UK academic David Kirby's definition of entrepreneurship.</p><p>In August, Innovus will publish a series of articles celebrating SU's women entrepreneurs on their website at <a href="http://www.innovus.co.za/">www.innovus.co.za</a> and on social media platforms. Read their stories and help us share and celebrate the outstanding achievements of women in various disciplines, creating a better life for all through innovation.</p><p> Innovus website: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://www.innovus.co.za/womans-month&data=05%7c01%7c%7c57c14ec92be9483f009208da753ab3aa%7ca6fa3b030a3c42588433a120dffcd348%7c0%7c0%7c637951192362816364%7cUnknown%7cTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7c3000%7c%7c%7c&sdata=wy1SHR4NhHYE2cWeahlDq2FeQ7wAVqVn6I3CS9eoDBQ%3D&reserved=0">Woman's Month (innovus.co.za)</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://www.linkedin.com/company/883499/admin/&data=05%7c01%7c%7c57c14ec92be9483f009208da753ab3aa%7ca6fa3b030a3c42588433a120dffcd348%7c0%7c0%7c637951192362816364%7cUnknown%7cTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7c3000%7c%7c%7c&sdata=3PYlqhCwJJg1SEwwZpjklWY1L/NzglikOW84%2B%2BFQCgo%3D&reserved=0"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">(1) University of Stellenbosch Enterprises (Pty) Ltd: Company Page Admin | LinkedIn</span></a></p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://www.facebook.com/InnovusTTO&data=05%7c01%7c%7c57c14ec92be9483f009208da753ab3aa%7ca6fa3b030a3c42588433a120dffcd348%7c0%7c0%7c637951192362816364%7cUnknown%7cTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7c3000%7c%7c%7c&sdata=rQanHrrCw0U6Z2UG27wJY4XPDhSCV/BNzo%2BrBJrtGnc%3D&reserved=0"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Innovus Technology Transfer | Facebook</span></a></p><p><br></p><p> </p><p><br></p> |
