The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) School of Engineering, in collaboration with Conlog (Pty) Ltd, one of Africa’s leading metering and energy solutions providers, has established a three-year strategic partnership focusing on student empowerment and skills development. This initiative has been made possible through the support of the UKZN Foundation.
Conlog, through the leadership of Ms Nancy Naidu, Learning and Development Business Partner, has created valuable opportunities for UKZN students by offering vacation work, internships and graduate placements that deliver practical, real-world engineering experience. In addition, Conlog has sponsored bursaries for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as the UKZN School of Engineering Conference and the Final-year Design Project Prize. These initiatives provide students with critical platforms to showcase their research and innovation while engaging with industry professionals.
“This partnership goes beyond research; it is about empowering people and reshaping the energy landscape through innovation, education and collaboration,” said Mr Ahmed Ashruf, Human Capital Executive at Conlog.
The collaboration also focuses on advancing joint research and technological innovation. Spearheaded by Mr Lance Hawkins-Dady, Innovation & Design Executive at Conlog, academics and Conlog professionals are working together on co-supervised research projects, exploring new frontiers in smart metering, automation, cybersecurity and sustainable energy solutions.
To further strengthen this partnership, Conlog is supporting the establishment of a student test lab and a metering lab within the School of Engineering. These facilities will serve as incubators for innovation, providing spaces for experimentation and the development of solutions that address the evolving needs of both industry and society.
“This collaboration embodies what’s possible when academia and industry work hand in hand,” said Professor Tom Walingo, Academic Leader in the School of Engineering. “It’s about harnessing knowledge to create practical solutions that make a real-world impact. This partnership is also transforming how we prepare engineers for the real world. It bridges theory and practice, giving students the opportunity to innovate alongside one of Africa’s leading energy companies.”
