Durban University of Technology students excel in international competition
Durban University of Technology students from the university’s Arm (E3)NGAGE Robotics Student Club were recently announced as one of 30 winning teams in an engineering competition that receives entries from universities all over the world.
THE Arm (E3)NGAGE Robotics Student Club, consisting of students from the Faculties of Accounting and Informatics, Art and Design and the Engineering and the Built Environment at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), was recently announced as one of the 30 winning teams for the 2024 Formula Student RS Build Fund.
The Formula Student RS Build Fund is an engineering competition that was established in Europe about 25 years ago. It aims to develop enterprising and innovative young engineers and encourage more young people globally to take up a career in engineering. The projects produced by the competing teams were viewed by the motor industry to assess if they adhered to the engineering standards and to transition them from university to the workplace. Participants were also judged on their soft skills, including business planning and project management.
Also Read: Non-profit academic institute celebrates graduation
The Arm (E3)NGAGE Robotics Student Club was the only club from the African universities that was among the 30 deserving winners, making it the sole African representative on the winners’ list. The competition received 78 entries from 21 various countries globally.
According to the executive dean in the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, Professor Oludayo Olugbara, this accolade was accompanied by an award of 1 000 Great British Pounds (approximately R25 000) in RS Grass Roots products.
“This is a significant boost to the endeavours of the Arm (E3)NGAGE Robotics Student Club in robotics innovation. It is the testimony of the Engineering Practice of Innovation Project (EPIP) model of learning, which is an advanced form of project-based learning,” explained Olugbara.
Also Read: Local organisations partner to host golf day
Giving insight on the Arm (E3)NGAGE Robotics Student Club, Olugbara said it was formed in 2023 after DUT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arm Holdings, a leading British semiconductor and software design company. “Its mission is to hone technical skills among students, fostering the development of innovations and entrepreneurs that focus on African contexts for a global audience,” said Olugbara.
“This collaboration was framed around the Engineering Practice of Innovation Project (EPIP) model that the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics diligently adheres to in partnership with Tianjin Vocational Institute in China, recognising the critical role of international partnerships in achieving excellence. The inaugural project of the student club was the development of an African Humanoid Robot capable of speaking isiZulu, which was named after King Shaka Zulu. It was aimed at addressing the gap in robotics production that often neglects African contexts,” said Olugbara.
Sharing his excitement on the win, Arm (E3)NGAGE Robotics Student Club member, Tawananyasha Mukumbareza, said: “The recognition bestowed upon us by the Formula Student RS Fund is a validation of the hard work, creativity and ingenuity exhibited by our DUT team members. It underscores our commitment to excellence and highlights our position as trailblazers in the field of robotics.”
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
