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Sasol assists universities to help bridge critical future science and technology skills issues

Sasol recently injected an annual amount of R25 million into academia to ensure the development of world-class science and engineering graduates, to help retain and attract talented academics to teach at our universities, and to grow the engineering profession.

The investment is part of a R250 million collaborative effort that the company has committed to over a ten year period with a view to ensuring world-class teaching in disciplines of chemistry and engineering.

"This is a proactive step to help our universities meet critical research and development skills essential to the future growth and prosperity of our industry and our nation," said Sasol CE Pat Davies at the hand-over event in Johannesburg.

In addition to today's R25 million investment, the group has already spent R75 million upgrading research facilities and equipment, at a number of participating universities over the past three years.

The initiative will also contribute to the Engineering Council of South Africa's (ECSA's) commitment to growing the engineering profession by increasing the number of engineering practitioners to ensure sufficient future capacity to stimulate the economy.

"Sasol's investment in research projects, the upgrading of research facilities, the deploying of highly qualified Sasol personnel in participating universities and rotating young South African academics abroad and locally within its plants, helps us to increase resources of research and development better to achieve the goal of modernising the South Africa economy," said Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena in a video cast message.

Dr. Theuns Eloff, Vice-Chancellor of North-West University, said it was essential for industry as a whole to invest in tertiary institutions to safeguard the quality of teaching and to attract and retain skilled and experienced academics.

"The global skills shortage has resulted in many experienced academics opting to work in more lucrative private sector jobs, while ageing equipment and research facilities negatively impact the quality of teaching." Dr Eloff said.

"Sasol has established a number of academic centres of excellence and advisory boards, enabling us and students to work with global experts in a variety of science and engineering fields. Sasol also provides grants to boost academic salaries. The significance of their science and engineering experts teaching on rotation levels at collaborating universities is immeasurable," Eloff said.

The natural science and engineering faculties of the universities of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan, KwaZulu Natal, Free State, North West, Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and Pretoria, are participating in the collaboration programme. - Sasol

More information:

 Sasol: www.sasol.com

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