The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Hitachi South Africa will host a seminar in Pretoria on Thursday, 12 September, to share lessons and knowledge on implementing large-scale infrastructure projects.
This seminar will take place at the DST Auditorium at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Campus in Pretoria, from 10h00 to 16h00.
The seminar is expected to provide a platform where lessons can be shared on Hitachi’s experience and knowledge in implementing large scale projects, considering the country’s large scale infrastructure development plans.
Hitachi Power Africa is constructing boilers at Medupi Power Station in Limpopo, as part of Eskom’s large capital project. The DST Director-General Phil Mjwara visited the power station in May this year where Hitachi staff there shared information on implementation techniques, progress and challenges delivering such a large scale project.
It is against this background the seminar is being held to share this information with industry and other South African organisations broadly, considering the pending implementation of large scale infrastructure projects in the country.
The DST and Hitachi have since signed an agreement to co-host a series of seminars to create a platform for knowledge sharing in areas such as infrastructure development, energy, water, and information and communication technologies, among others.
Dr Mjwara will attend the seminar, including Dr Paul Lombard, General Manager at Aurecon; Mr Marthinus Greyling, Nuclear Engineering Manager at Group Five; Mr Mark Oshima, General Manager at Hitachi Europe and other representatives from the Public Works Department and Eskom.
Among discussions will be challenges unique to South Africa and related solutions, training and development required for large scale infrastructure projects, related technologies and strategies for building successful partnerships, among others.
The DST and Hitachi Ltd. have had a successfully relationship since 2009, implementing a scholarship programme for South African engineers, to enhance their capacity in the areas of power transmission, generation, distribution and turbine operation and maintenance.
Successful engineers are invited to Japan for a specialised training programme which includes language and culture training; site visits to manufacturing sites; lectures and on the job training.
All media is invited.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Veronica Mohapeloa
Cell: 082 882 3818
Tel: 012 843 6788
