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First Mechatronics student awarded S2A3 medal

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Timothy Light, who obtained both his BEng Mechatronics and MEng Mechatronics degrees cum laude, was recently awarded a prestigious S2A3 medal.

The former Victoria Park High School learner is the first Mechatronics graduate to receive this medal at NMMU.

The Southern Africa Association for the Advancement of Science (S2A3) Medal is awarded annually by each South African university to the most outstanding master’s degree student in a scientific discipline. The award is made in recognition of the perseverance and dedication of the successful master’s student in the application of scientific principles in original research and the presentation of a written dissertation required at master’s level.

The topic of his dissertation – under the supervision of Prof Igor Gorlach – was “Dynamic Modelling of a Reconfigurable Machine Tool” relating to a research project sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).

During his postgraduate studies, Mr Light spent two months at Aachen University in Germany, where he worked with German researchers and postgraduate students. There, he managed to solve a complex engineering problem in robotics, demonstrating sound knowledge of the engineering disciplines, which he obtained in the BEng Mechatronics programme.

Mr Light and Prof Gorlach visited Florida University in Gainesville in the USA, where they presented a seminar based on their research projects and collaborated with researchers in the field of robotics. Mr Light co-authored two research papers, which were presented at international conferences in Europe in 2011.

This year he also received Albert Wessels Trust (Toyota) Award for the Best Master’s Student in Science and Technology by Dissertation and the Vice-Chancellor Award for the Best Postgraduate Science and Technology Student

Currently, he works as a project engineer at Rockwell Automation in Johannesburg, while at weekends, he teaches English to pupils at a local school in Alexandria.

The <a target=”_blank” href=”http://s2a3.up.ac.za/”>Southern Africa Association for the Advancement of Science</a> (S2A3), which celebrated it’s centenary year in 2002, is a non-profit organization that strives to; Promote contact between associations, groups and individuals, professionals as well as laymen, who are interested in all aspects of science and related activities, Initiate or organise gatherings and excursions with a scientific theme, Promote scientific and human activities which are environmentally friendly and Promote a scientific approach to education.

Timothy Light
NMMU Director of Innovation Support and Technology Transfer Jaci Barnett, Timothy Light with his S2A3 certificate and NMMU Mechatronics Head Prof Igor Gorlach. Photograph: Heather Stevens
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.