Page 4 - Annual Report A4
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
e a r 2 019/ 2 0 w a s a ye a r t e r m e d t h e Y E A R O F D I S C OV E RY
(1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020) towards growth and improvement in
Yestablishing mechanisms to advance research in manufacturing and skills
development. Steering Committee (SteerCom) members played a critical role as
their expertise proved essential to guide the Research Chair. The SteerCom mem-
bers gave continuous oversight wherein they directed and guided the overall perfor-
mance of the Research Chair. This was executed within a framework of good corpo-
rate governance towards the fulfilment of the terms of reference of the establishment.
This annual report summarises the progress to date, events and achievements of the
Gibela Research Chair (GRC) at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Depart-
ment of Industrial Engineering for the year 2019/20(from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020).
The report documents the milestones still to be achieved, successes and achievements
of a team that remains dedicated to skills development. The emphasis and focus falls on
the core business of the GRC of establishing and maintaining an ecosystems approach
to support Gibela’s mandate to renew the commuter railcar fleet through manufacturing
research and skills development. In tandem with this vision is the effort exerted to provide
essential support and enablers for young people to improve their livelihoods, through
research and development.
Some of the key highlights in the past year are delivery of a special jigs project as well
as the establishment of an incubator to develop entrepreneurial skills linked to the
initiative. More than ten local and international awards and recognition in various
forms have been received by the Research Chair team; the report details the said
achievements. Special sessions held at both local and international conferences
continue to be instruments used to share and disseminate the findings of the Chair.
i