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Conflict management in outsourced engineering projects in South Africa

Engineering work integrated learning : a case study in problem-based research and development projects

Gender dynamics : a case study of role allocation in engineering education

Investigating the impact of poor utilisation of quality management system in a South African foundry

  • Authors: Mpanza, Z. , Nyembwe, D. , Nel, H.
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Castings industries - Quality control , Quality management
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:4917 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13017
  • Description: Background: In 2007 alone, twenty six foundries were closed down when the castings industries directory was released. A high scrap rate due to a lack of quality management is one of the root causes of low productivity and low profits, resulting in closures. Method: This research paper focusses on the impact of defects on productivity and monetary losses due to poor utilisation of the quality management system in sand casting. Data was gathered on defects and productivity and the company’s quality control records were used for monetary losses due to scrap. The study was conducted over a period of one year at a South African foundry. The standard multiple regression analysis method was used to assess the ability of five defects (cross jointed, bad mould, shrinkage, core fault, and gas porosity) to predict monetary and productivity losses. Results: Cross jointed and bad mould defects had a correlation coefficient of 0.727 and 0.716 respectively which indicated a strong positive correlation. The overall variance explained by the model was 61%, F = 16.263, p<.005. Thus the prevalence of these two types of defects can significantly predict monetary losses, while core fault predicted productivity. Conclusion: Foundry should concentrate on eliminating cross jointed and bad mould defects to avoid a high scrap rate, and core fault to improve productivity.
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Cost sustainability of TFR electric locomotives operating on the Natal Corridor

Attraction, education and retention of technical women in South Africa

  • Authors: Nel, H. , Meyer, J.
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Women in engineering , Education , Retention
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/124127 , uj:20877 , Citation: Nel, H & Meyer, J. 2016. Attraction, education and retention of technical women in South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: Women engineers form a small but integral part of the South African and global engineering fraternity. The resultant gender disparity in all technical professions presents a significant challenge to women in the sector, as well as to governments, corporates and higher education institutions. If the future of engineering aims to be more gender equitable, the attraction, education and retention of technical women must be understood and addressed effectively. Research was conducted over a two-year period with nine technical women in South Africa to gain a deeper understanding of these factors. The respondents agree that a future exists for women engineers, but that current policies, education structures and financial systems must be restructured to make engineering a more attractive career for women. The paper presents the research findings and strategies for the future education and retention of technical women in the engineering and built environment sectors.
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Social innovation, research and community engagement : managing interdisciplinary projects for societal change

AfrikaBot : design of a robotics challenge to promote STEM in Africa

  • Authors: Ettershank, M. , Venter, J. , Meyer, J. , Nel, H.
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Robotics , STEM , AfrikaBot
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214225 , uj:21253 , Citation: Ettershank, M. et al. 2016. AfrikaBot : design of a robotics challenge to promote STEM in Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: Science, technology, engineering and mathematics education for high school learners in developing countries is a challenge for two significant reasons: equipment for education is expensive and complex, and economically-marginalized youth must be integrated in pre-engineering programs to prepare them for technical programmes at university. The goal of establishing AfrikaBot is to prepare high school learners to study engineering at the University of Johannesburg; thus to train teenagers from disadvantaged communities with no prior experience in STEM to participate in a challenge to build and program a robot. Also, AfrikaBot aims to equip teenagers from low-income households with technology and entrepreneurial skills in a repressed economy. AfrikaBot achieves the above with a build-it-yourself robot that can be used after the competition to invent systems with real world applications. Anticipated long-term outcomes of the AfrikaBot program will influence the structure of future robotics challenges, and promote a higher number of technical candidates from marginalized communities. By transferring enabling technology skills in a fun and engaging way, participants will rapidly build the confidence to pursue careers in STEM fields. Participants can also acquire entrepreneurial skills that may lead to the establishment of new businesses and the creation of local jobs in both the formal and informal sectors in Africa. This paper presents the organizational and physical design of AfrikaBot, a robotics challenge that will be held in the latter half of 2016.
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Reflective learning in engineering education : a case study of Shell Eco- Marathon

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