SASOL FUELS UP SCHOOL OF CHEMISTRY FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS

UKZN is the latest beneficiary of a capacity-building sponsorship from Sasol Technology which will give the School of Chemistry R400 000 over the next two years, 2009 and 2010.

This cash injection follows a recent visit to UKZN by the Head of Sasol Technology’s Analytical Solutions Department (Research and Development), Mr. Bongani Nkosi and Ms Heidi Assumption, who both commended the School for its leading research and teaching initiatives in the discipline of analytical chemistry.

The latest visit was a follow-up to previous dialogue between the School of Chemistry and Sasol Technology aimed at obtaining an insight into the type of research and teaching being undertaken within analytical chemistry.

While the School has entered research collaborations with Sasol in the past, receipt of such a sponsorship is a first for analytical chemistry.

In correspondence to the School, Dr Nkosi confirmed a donation of R200 000 a year for the next two years.

“As Sasol representatives we are pleased to say that we have identified your institution as one of the leaders in research into, and teaching of, analytical chemistry. This capacity- building donation may be used for any initiatives that make you a cutting-edge institution.”

Professor Andrew Kindness, Head of the School of Chemistry, said the School was pleased to have received a grant targeting staff and student development.

“This shows that companies are truly interested in developing capacity within the country and that they are helping universities do so. It gives us opportunities to develop strengths within students that we couldn’t do before due to budget constraints.” According to Professor Kindness, funds acquired were likely to be used for staff training, student bursaries, inviting guest speakers and awarding prizes for excellence in analytical chemistry.

• UKZN is one of ten universities which benefits from the Sasol University Collaboration Programme introduced by Sasol Technology four years ago. Sasol has committed to spend R250 million towards the initiative over ten years. It aims to develop skills within the fields of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering through the provision of grants.Since its inception, UKZN received more than R3,2 million in sponsorships.