InnoVenton offers a range of services to clients, customers, and students. These services include formal training, short courses, analytical services and technology. Click here for detailed information about Innoventon.
Engagements are often centred around an individual and his/her interests in chemistry so they will expand upon under each person within the specific entity.
Dr Shawn Gouws: Dr Gouws ran two short learning programme training sessions with the company Heraeus during 2022. The “Basic Chemistry for Operators” course ran from July to October and “Basic Chemical Engineering” from October to December.
Louise Hamilton: served in an administrative role as a member of the Faculty Engagement Committee (FEC) in 2022. She oversaw various activities including recording and cataloguing Department Engagement Activities, representing the FEC on the Engagement & Transformation Senate Committee, leading the Faculty Strategic Implementation Engagement Task Team, and served as a member of the Govan Mbeki Maths development Centre (GMMDC) Management Committee.
Dr Nicole Vorster
Notable InnoVenton Engagement Activities in 2022:
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Innoventon hosted 9 graduate interns who were part of a multidisciplinary team. The internship consisted of a 10-month Biorefinery Programme, and included mentoring by: a Software Developer, Public Administrator, Formulation Scientists, Chemical Process Technologists and Analytical Chemists.
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One of the interns was hosted at DSI-Mandela Nanomedicine Platform, under the supervision of SARCHI Chair Dr Steven Mufamadi. Vuyisa was the runner up in the 2022 Eastern Cape FameLab competition, 2nd to the eventual international overall winner Dr Nehemiah Latolla.
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Jarryd Cuthbertson, a masters student, working alongside Dr Gary Dugmore on speciality chemical synthesis and process development for industrial clients, was awarded the James Moir Medal of the South African Chemical Institute, a medal that Dr Dugmore won 30 years previously.
Innoventon also offered:
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Five short learning programs (SLP’s) and workshops to students, the public and industry, with a total of 76 delegates in attendance, they included:
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Chemical Process Safety
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A practical Introduction to IOT and User Interface Programming
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Building an IOT Prototype
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An Introductory Guide to Cosmetic Formulation
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Creams & Lotions
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An online Aquaculture and Algae Cultivation workshop.
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Held talks, together with eNtsa delegates from Eskom and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), to explore possible collaboration and skills development.
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Together with eNtsa and the TIA Board, Innoventon hosted a tour of the Technology Station Network.
Other significant activities included:
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The International Organising Committee for the African School of Fundamental Physics and Applications visited InnoVenton.
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A film crew from Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education filmed student Charnelle Davids at InnoVenton about her Khula Products and how Innoventon assisted her entrepreneurship.
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Hosted ± 60 students who attended the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education Lekgotla bus tour.
Melissa Gouws: (InnoVenton)
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Dr Melissa Gouws took on the role of Engagement Committee secretary in 2022
As part of a work shadow week experience, with the DSI-Mandela Nanomedicine platform, two Kariega-based high school students visited InnoVenton to shadow some of our interns.
The CPT(Chemical Process Technology) first year class visited BASF on a guided excursion to experience first-hand what industry expects of them as they prepare for their careers
The CPT 2nd and 3rd year students went on an excursion to Cerebos to learn how salt is processed and prepared for the market.
InnoVenton hosted a training workshop with CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) and the TIA (Technology Innnovation Agency) discussing ways to enhance the disclosure of IP and how to assist clients to register their businesses.
Delegates from Eskom and TIA visit InnoVenton to discuss ways we can engage with them to development and transfer skills.
The 2022 SACI Career and Innovation Day at Rhodes University
The 2022 SACI Career and Innovation Day at Rhodes was a great opportunity for Dr Melissa Gouws to spend time with graduates and share what InnoVenton is all about and what we do. Many had questions about starting their own businesses, taking products to the market and IP associated with their ideas. This is an area where InnoVenton can make an impact and assist budding entrepreneurs.
InnoVenton organised an Algae Cultivation and Aquaculture Engagement Workshop. This engagement opportunity created a platform where stakeholders, established producers and new SME’s could meet with project leaders to discuss opportunities for new ventures, development and technology advancement in algae cultivation, fish feed products, system techno economics, scaleup and regulatory issues.