Sasol donates multimillion rand high-tech equipment to UL Department of Chemistry
Sasol South Africa has donated a state-of-the-art Simultaneous Thermal Analyser (STA) machine to the value of R2 million to the Department of Chemistry at the University of Limpopo (UL) to conduct high performance research and routine applications
The STA is a compact and rugged simultaneous thermal analyser used for compositional analysis and kinetic studies, enabling the analysis of transitions in materials as well as standards for energy, water, ceramics, membrane technology and challenging academic research.
Representatives for both institutions met at UL for the formal hand-over of the machine and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for future collaborations.
Professor Hlengani Siweya, Executive Dean of Faculty of Science and Agriculture at UL says the donation came in handy for it will advance the academic programmes in the department, especially for research and practicum purposes.
Sasol initially collaborated with UL in 2012 through its Inzalo Foundation, an educational initiative aimed to contribute to the development of previously disadvantaged universities in South Africa. Inzalo Foundation Acting Director, Dr Rufus Wesi said UL was identified as part of six disadvantaged universities that were top on the agenda of development. “Since 2012 the university has contributed significantly to the country’s economy by producing competent graduates who go on to become industry leaders,” he informs.
Sasol through its foundation has sponsored students in the department with equipped laptops, bursaries, mentorship programmes and first-hand skills development to Honours and Masters students who hail from marginalised backgrounds.
Daphney Makhafola, one of beneficiaries who studies Masters in Chemistry, has been sponsored by Sasol from honours level. Makhafola has a monthly stipend of R4 200 and received a furnished hi-tech laptop fitted to conduct chemistry related research. She is humbled: “I am grateful for the kind gesture from Sasol. Through the foundation I managed to conduct and produce my research results, and won various national and regional awards.”
Reflecting on the progress made so far, the Foundation’s Board of Trustee, Dr Meshack Khosa says they are inspired by the department’s efforts to work with them to empower students. He says the board will institute more developmental projects earmarked to upskill more students at UL.
Professor Jesika Singh, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Partnerships at UL, says the university appreciates the kind gesture. “The department continues to shine, from one milestone to another. The relationship with Sasol spans years ago whereby it opened its ‘arms’ to donate bursaries and state-of-the-art-equipment to assist students who continue to succeed in their studies,” she concludes.