3D printers will soon be the heart of full-scale production capabilities in some industries around the world.
The Belt & Road and BRICS Skills Development Alliance held the 2nd 3D Printing and Intelligent Manufacturing Competition. This competition was held in July last year in Inner Mongolia, Chifeng Province, China.
Three Ekurhuleni West TVET College students went to China for a 12 months internship programme and represented South Africa in BRICS Skills Development and Technology Innovation Competition.
The purpose of the competition was to provide people from various countries with the opportunity to make use of machinery that they may not ordinarily be able to use. The students who participated in the competition came from all spheres, including many underdeveloped nations. That gave students an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience about modern technology, as well as important information they may not receive.
Competitors from all the BRICS countries participated in the international and domestic competition. Lefa Makhubedu, Nonhlanhla Mtshali and Qiniso Vilakazi who are amongst students who went to China represented South Africa in the international part of the competition where they got first position and were awarded with certificates, trophies and gold medals. They also represented their institution in China ‘’Wuxi Institute of Technology’’ in the domestic competition and they got certificates of honour for excellent participation in the domestic competition.
Nonhlanhla Mtshali a 2016 EWC annual graduation top achiever in NCV Electrical Infrastructure Construction said that competing with one of the best countries like China when it comes to manufacturing was an amazing experience. She says their Chinese counterparts are so intelligent and hardworking.
Lefa Makhubedu says for them being in China was a learning experience and they promise to represent EWC in a positive way. She added that she was grateful to EWC for the opportunity and she will make sure that she gets the best out of the opportunity
