During the month of August, thirty students under the special Maths and English (M&E) programme organized by the  Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) were taken to  a week- long camp for an intensive skills training programme covering topics such as teaching practice, methodology, public speaking and mathematics. The students, who are currently pursuing a career in teaching, were accommodated on the premises of St. Alban’s College situated on the eastern suburbs of Pretoria. In line with the programme, students were given some motivation by various speakers including Mr Donovan Duffield, a science educator/Mentor at St. Alban’s College and Mr Excellent Sithole, an IEEE volunteer/Engineer from Denel Dynamics. Mr Duffield gave a talk entitled - “How to strive to be a great teacher” which left the students really imparted with motivation and energy towards their chosen career. On his talk entitled – “The importance of technology in education”, Mr Sithole highlighted the recent achievements of the 2010 soccer world cup in South Africa and the role of technology. He also added the significant role played by South African educators from primary level to tertiary education, in producing the country’s “scarce skills” of Engineers, Doctors, Nurses and other professionals through teaching of technology. 

The Camping Team 

From left: Mr Donovan Duffield and Mr Excellent Sithole during the presentations.

For more information please contact Mr Excellent Sithole, IEEE Educational Activities Chair, IEEE South Africa Section, Denel Dynamics at +27 12 671 1882 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The University of Cape Town (UCT) IEEE Student Branch held on the 11th of August 2010 the launch of its second student technical chapter the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) Student Chapter. The event was honored by the presence and presentations of IEEE Executive Staff – Corporate Strategy Matt Loeb and IEEE Power and Energy Society President Alan Rotz. Also in attendance at the function was IEEE PES Executive Director Pat Ryan.

The event was opened by the universities’ EE Head of Department Prof. Jonathan Tapson. He spoke about the energy research initiatives undertaken by different research groups within the university. He was followed by Matt Loeb who spoke about the IEEE, its activities in developing countries and its importance to electrical engineering professionals. This was followed by PES President Al Rotz’ talk on sustainable energy alternatives in the USA. His talk took the audience through the varied meanings of sustainable energy, and all the different sources and applications. His presentation highlighted that sustainable energy will be a mix of diverse energy sources.

The last speaker UCT IEEE Student Branch Chair Joyce Mwangama gave a brief overview of the student branch’s initiatives and ambitions. Her talk highlighted the activeness of the branch in terms of members, events and projects. One such project is the EPICS-High project that is run by the Projects Committee at the Student Branch, who’s mention attracted enthusiasm from Matt Loeb, Alan Rotz and Pat Ryan who promised future support for the project.

Additionally, Loeb and Rotz presented the branches’ WIE student affinity group the IEEE honorable mention award (2009). Chairlady Manuella D’Oliviera Pio received the award on behalf of the affinity group.

Overall the launch of the student chapter succeeded in enlightening the attendees, which consisted of university staff, students and guests from industry, and gave the esteemed visitors a glimpse of the running of the University of Cape Town IEEE Student Branch. Thanks also to the SAIEE and EE Publishers (Pty) ltd for providing assistance with the event.

More images: Image 1 & Image 2