The CSIR and Transnet recently held a capability show-and-tell focusing solely on electronics. Two CSIR operating units; CSIR Materials Science and Manufacturing and CSIR Defence, Peace, Safety and Security, showcased some of their best work to Transnet with the hope of strengthening ties and making more of an impact with the partnership.
The guests attended formal theoretical presentations of the work done by the different units followed by a lab walkabout with practical demonstrations of their expertise.
The Transnet & CSIR delegation at the end of an eventful day.
“The CSIR’s mandate is to make an impact. We hope that by showing Transnet our expertise we will make an impact by creating jobs, building new locomotives, new industries and new opportunities for them to sell products in Africa and internationally. We want to help them expand their footprint,” explains Charl Harding, key account manager for the CSIR/Transnet partnership, who arranged the visit.
Andries Wilken, Transnet’s Executive Research Manager for Electrical Systems, who led the Transnet delegation, was pleased with what he saw. He said, “Our relationship with the CSIR spans over two years and when we identified a deeper need for electronic expertise, we knew it was part of the CSIR’s core competence. I am looking forward to future collaborations with the different CSIR operating units as this has opened doors for pockets of excellence that resonates with us.”
Charl also stated that there will be more visits with the different CSIR stakeholders as this is a great value-add and could lead to contract research and development work.
Click hereto access a photo gallery of the visit.
By Anna Semenya
30 July 2014
