North West University Engineering

North West University Engineering, below are all the branches under Engineering at North West University. All interested applicants should take note.

ENGINEERING

Overview

The Faculty of Engineering on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University, continually strives to be a training hub for high-quality, versatile and innovative engineers. We pride ourselves in world class teaching standards, a sound value system, innovative thinking and passion.

Engineers find ways to do things BETTER, FASTER and more EFFICIENT. They make life easier by adding value to and optimising available resources. They reduce manufacturing costs by designing better processes. They are the modern day MacGyvers who improve the quality of people’s lives on a continuous basis. In short, the world would be lost without them.

Computer and Electronic Engineering

Computer and electronic engineers make the world a more efficient place by connecting humans and the world we live in, to the digital world of computer systems and the internet. They do this by using electronics, embedded computers and the skill of programming to control mechatronic systems and to build the internet.
Computer and electronic engineering is the number one scarce skill in South Africa.
As a computer and electronic engineer you will have great employment prospects in South Africa and abroad. Industries include:

  • Telecommunications
  • Energy and electric power
  • Semiconductors
  • Aerospace
  • Bio-enigineering
  • Manufacturing
  • Education and research
  • Transportation
  • Automotive

Contact details:

  • Prof. George van Schoor
  • School Director: Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
  • 018 299 1962
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 235

 

  • Ms. Elzeth Enslin
  • Secretary
  • 018 299 1978
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 237
  • Dr. Leenta Grobler
  • First years mentor
  • 018 299 4058
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 227
  • Dr. Henri Marais
  • Program manager
  • 018 299 1973
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 233

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Electrical and Electronic Engineers enable the modern world by moving electrical energy from the source to the point of application. They do this as efficiently as possible, by applying their knowledge of power systems, power conversion, power conditioning, and electrical machines. Training provided by leading experts in power quality, power electronics and electrical machines, sets NWU Electrical and Electronic Engineers apart in industry. Our engineers thrive in power utilities and electrical consulting industries and relate well to the challenges of utilizing renewable energy sources as part of the energy solution of the future.
Electrical and Electronic engineering is the number one scarce skill in South Africa.
Your options as a electrical, electronic or computer engineer in South Africa and abroad are:

  • Telecommunications
  • Energy and electric power
  • Semiconductors
  • Aerospace
  • Bio-engineering
  • Manufacturing
  • Education and research
  • Transportation
  • Automotive

Contact details:

  • Prof. George van Schoor
  • School Director: Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
  • 018 299 1962
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 235

 

  • Ms. Elzeth Enslin
  • Secretary
  • 018 299 1978
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 237
  • Dr. Leenta Grobler
  • First years mentor
  • 018 299 4058
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 227
  • Dr. Henri Marais
  • Program manager
  • 018 299 1973
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 233

Electromechanical Engineering

Electromechanical engineers ensure the safe and efficient operations of plants and factories by combining elements of electrical and mechanical engineering. Their knowledge of electrical machines, power electronics, strength of materials and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, together with legal knowledge with respect to occupational health and safety make them invaluable to industry.

Electromechanical engineering is under the top 10 scarce skills in South Africa.
Any mine or manufacturer in South Africa and abroad will greatly benefit from your skills.

Contact details:

  • Prof. George van Schoor
  • School Director: Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
  • 018 299 1962
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 235

 

  • Ms. Elzeth Enslin
  • Secretary
  • 018 299 1978
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 237
  • Dr. Leenta Grobler
  • First years mentor
  • 018 299 4058
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 227
  • Dr. Henri Marais
  • Program manager
  • 018 299 1973
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 233

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineers are involved with the development, manufacturing, management and maintenance of transport, energy conversion, manufacturing, generator, weapon and cooling and heating systems, as well as industry installations, process equipment, manufacturing machinery and mining equipment.
Nuclear Engineers (post grad studies) design systems that utilizes nuclear processes for energy.
Mechanical and nuclear engineering is under the top 3 scarce skills in South Africa.
As a mechanical engineer you will work in South Africa or abroad in the following industries:

  • Manufacturing
  • Aerodynamics
  • Engergy technology
  • Power generation
  • System maintenance
  • Robotics
  • Plant layout and management
  • Food processing plants

Contact details:

  • Prof. Harry Wichers
  • School Director: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
  • 018 299 4283
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building G15, G03
  • Ms. Hope Tshegofatso
  • Secretary
  • 018 299 2645
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building G15, G02B
  • Ms. Sanette Loots
  • Undergraduate enquiries
  • 018 285 2512
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building G15, G05
  • Ms. Bettie Handford
  • Post-graduate enquiries
  • 018 299 1317
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building G15, G09

Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineers are involved in the research, design, development and management of industrial processes where raw materials are converted to products with higher economic value. For instance, turn corn to cornflakes, hops to beer, coal to petrol and algae to electricity.  The chemical industry is one of the greatest gross domestic product contributors in South Africa. Chemical engineering is one of the top 10 scarce skills in South Africa.

Your options as a chemical engineer in South Africa and abroad are:

  • Chemical manufacturers and other industries, such as: petroleum refining, synthetic fuel manufacture, food processing, brewing, minerals processing, paper and pulp, pollution control, manufacture of synthetic fibres, fertilizers and explosives
  • Organizations as: CSIR, AECI, ESKOM, Sasol, AEC, Sentrachem
  • Consulting firms
  • Government departments
  • Universities

Our pride and joy:

  • Eco friendly coal:  Production of a carbonaceous feedstock material from waste carbon sources
  • Biofuels:  Producing diesel from non-food crops

Contact details:

  • Prof. Quentin Campbell
  • School Director: Chemical and Mineral Engineering
  • 018 299 1993
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 149A
  • Ms. Annieta Bok
  • Secretary
  • 018 299 1998
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 151A
  • Sanet Botes
  • Financial Officer
  • 018 299 1656
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 156
  • Prof. Marco le Roux
  • Program manager
  • 018 299 1990
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 148A

Minerals Processing

Minerals Processing is a specialist field in Chemical Engineering and deals with the physical and chemical processes used especially to extract metals from ores. The chemical industry is one of the greatest gross domestic product contributors in South Africa. Chemical engineering is one of the top 10 scarce skills in South Africa.

Your options as a chemical engineer in South Africa and abroad are:

  • Chemical manufacturers and other industries, such as: petroleum refining, synthetic fuel manufacture, food processing, brewing, minerals processing, paper and pulp, pollution control, manufacture of synthetic fibres, fertilizers and explosives
  • Organizations as: CSIR, AECI, ESKOM, Sasol, AEC, Sentrachem
  • Consulting firms
  • Government departments
  • Universities

Contact details:

  • Prof. Quentin Campbell
  • School Director: Chemical and Mineral Engineering
  • 018 299 1994
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 149A
  • Ms. Annieta Bok
  • Secretary
  • 018 299 1998
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 151A
  • Sanet Botes
  • Financial Officer
  • 018 299 1656
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 156
  • Prof. Marco le Roux
  • Program manager
  • 018 299 1990
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building N1, Room 148A

Industrial Engineering

Industrial Engineers enable people, technology, information, materials, methods and money to work together productively and effectively. Industrial Engineering originated more than a century ago from the industrial revolution when industries started to search for the best, cheapest and fastest way to manufacture products. Today, Industrial Engineers are found in all kinds of industries.
Industrial engineering is under the top 10 scarce skills in South Africa.
As an industrial engineer you will work in South Africa or abroad in the following industries:

  • Automotive manufacturers
  • Food and beverages
  • Information and communications
  • Mining, oil and energy
  • Logistics and supply chain
  • Healthcare
  • Banking
  • Aerospace and aviation

Contact details:

  • Prof. Fanie Terblanche
  • School Director (Acting): Industrial Engineering
  • 018 299 1524
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building G15, Room G101A
  • Ms. Abigale Phasha
  • School Secretary: Industrial Engineering
  • 018 285 2527
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building G15,  Room 101
  • Ms. Chantelle Du Plessis
  • Undergraduate Program Manager: Industrial Engineering
  • 018 285 2518
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building G15, Room104

 

  • Ms. Rojanette Coetzee
  • Postgraduate Program Manager: Industrial Engineering
  • 018 299 1663
  • [email protected]
  • NWU, Potchefstroom Campus, Building G15, Room 108