Nelson Mandela University (NMU) has launched a new Automotive Industry Development Centre – Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) Chair in Automotive Engineering.

The AIDC-EC has endowed the new research chair in the Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology for an initial three-year period.

Backed with a financial investment of R14-million, this strengthens the university’s position as a centre of excellence in the automotive industry.

Newly appointed AIDC-EC Chair of Automotive Engineering Martin Sanne brings 33 years of engineering and management experience to his new role.

“The automotive [industry] is a cornerstone of the Eastern Cape economy and NMU is perfectly positioned for this,” Sanne says.

He notes that there are various automotive engineering research and innovation platforms NMU can and will be focussing on. These include the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), digital transformation, Advanced Manufacturing and the three areas of innovation – product, process and organisational.

Until 2020, Sanne was cluster executive manager and executive director at the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for the manufacturing cluster, focusing on material science, manufacturing and the 4IR.

The qualified electrical engineer holds an MSc in Digital Systems and has extensive experience in end-to-end, integrated engineering, quality services and management consulting, specialising in digital transformation.

AIDC-EC CEO Thabo Shenxane thanked AIDC-EC chairperson Phumzile Zitumane for supporting the vision to create the Chair.

“We had a dream last year on the future of training, manufacturing and engineering – and that led us to the university. This is work that we are committed to, not only for the AIDC-EC but for the province, and Martin’s appointment is a clear indication of where we want to go.”

In addition to the AIDC-EC Automotive Chair, the new agreement makes funding provision for postgraduate bursaries and provides support for undergraduate capstone projects in the School of Engineering.

The Chair will lead research, innovation and technology in automotive, manufacturing and multi-disciplinary projects across the sector, particularly in the areas of advanced automotive and manufacturing production processes.

It will also manage research projects and engage industry on new product development processes, aspects of commercialisation and knowledge generation.

This work will also facilitate continuous engagement with external higher education institutions and industrial stakeholders, including international student and staff exchange programmes and knowledge transfer in automotive engineering.