ASSOCIATION NEWS
Doors open for young students after NMMU studies ing and research’. He outlined what polymer science courses are offered, and did so with tangible enthusiasm. After departing from universities or colleges, students tend to move on from the pure chemistry – although understanding of the formulae and trends are hopefully never forgotten – and rather focus on practical production outcomes. Students can enroll for a national diploma in polymer technology and part of the process involves a one year in-service training period with a company in the polymer field, prior to graduation. The University also offers a tailormade course on rubber technology, specifically designed for application in the rubber component manufacturing sector. The course is presented on a one-day-a-week basis for six months and, while the course has been strong-
FANUS Gerber is a man who takes training and tuition very seriously, and we in the polymers business need to be grateful that we have individuals who are so committed to this cause. Young individuals (and some not so young) need to undertake their studies with enthusiasm if they are to make a genuine contribution in the industry and, possibly even more importantly, create career paths for themselves. With this in mind, Fanus – of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth – headed for KZN recently and gave a presentation about the courses offered at NMMU to a gathering of the IOM³ at the Victoria Country Club in Pietermaritzburg. Fanus is a senior lecturer in the chemistry department of the Faculty of Science at NMMU. His topic on the occasion was ‘The South African Polymer industry: train-
Fanus Gerber with two recent graduates from NMMU, Monwabisi Ncayiyana and Ndili Ntloko, who completed their in-service training at Aberdare Cables in Maritzburg and who are now employed by the Powertech group company
Fanus Gerber and Janine Kruger of Plastichem, which sponsored the function
ly supported by the Eastern Cape rubber industry, students from far afield have also attended. • THE EVENING WAS SPONSORED BY PLASTICHEM AND THE KWAZULU SCTION OF THE IOM³.
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2013
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