Winners 2025
Student: Nhlanhla Tebekwana
Study Leader: Dr Absalom Maluleke
Final Year Project Title: Sustainable building materials using agricultural waste
Project Summary:
The project explores the use of agricultural waste materials such as maize stalks, wheat straw, and sugarcane bagasse to develop sustainable, low-cost mobile homes. It combines material analysis, structural and thermal simulations, and design modelling to demonstrate an eco-friendly housing solution.
Student's future plans:
The students plan to further develop sustainable material technologies and explore advanced testing of agro-waste composites for real-world housing applications. They aim to pursue careers or postgraduate studies in renewable materials, sustainable design, and engineering innovation.
Student: Mari-Louise van As
Study Leader: Prof Joke Buhrmann
Final Year Project Title: Improving inventory management at an automotive company by applying the ABC–XYZ–FSN classification method
Project Summary:
Automotive dealerships struggle with inventory inefficiencies due to demand fluctuations and poor categorisation. At Dealership X, this caused 37% overstock and 24% dead stock. This study analysed stock data and applied the ABC–XYZ–FSN system with a dashboard to improve classification, aiding decisions and reducing overstocking.
Student's future plans:
In 2026 I’ll be working at Lancea Konsult in Pretoria as a junior industrial and software engineer where I grew up. I’m excited to join a team that values both its people and clients. I’ll help with ERP and inventory-management projects, and I’m grateful for my NWU journey and the student life that shaped me.
Student: Aqeelah Sharief
Study Leader: Dyllon Garth Randall
Final Year Project Title: Pee for profit: a feasibility study of on-site nutrient recovery at the Cape Town Stadium
Project Summary:
In partnership with Bidvest, this project investigated the feasibility of a urine and flush water recycling process at the Cape Town Stadium. The scheme produces a liquid fertilizer and recycles urinal flush water. The fertiliser contributes to circular economy goals and reduces dependency on synthetic fertilisers.
Student's future plans:
Aqeelah will be working for the consulting company, Zutari, next year, but is eager to pursue a MSc. in the near future.
Student: Benedict Mavodze
Study Leader: Thokozane Justin Kunene
Final Year Project Title: Fabrication and analysis of clean energy from a waterproofed Helmholtz coil for aquatic microchannel
Project Summary:
This project developed a waterproof Helmholtz coil system for clean energy. It integrates electromagnetic fluid–magnetic interactions using water mixed with aluminum oxide microparticles to estimate induced voltage and energy harvesting potential, IoT monitoring, and prototype fabrication for future scalability.
Student's future plans:
I plan to advance my work in energy harvesting and smart sensing by pursuing a master's degree in the electromagnetism and fluid–structure interaction field. I aim to refine this prototype into a functional system, publish findings, and contribute to sustainable engineering technologies.
Student: Kiara Motheelal
Study Leader: Prof. M. Kumarasamy
Final Year Project Title: Design of a decentralized wastewater treatment plant for UKZN
Project Summary:
This project designs a decentralized wastewater treatment plant for UKZN Howard College to serve 3 new campus developments. The system treats domestic sewage using gravity-fed processes, reducing reliance on municipal infrastructure while enabling water reuse, environmental protection, and offering educational value.
Student's future plans:
I am interested in pursuing a Master's degree to advance my qualifications. My focus is on developing a multi-criteria decision support model for sustainable low-cost wastewater treatment and reuse. My career goals include joining a consulting firm, focusing on contributing to the water engineering field.
Student: Johannes Louis (Hannes) Pretorius
Study Leader: Prof. Schalk Els
Final Year Project Title: CVT Tuning for a Baja SAE Vehicle
Project Summary:
The project focussed on developing a mathematical model of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for a vehicle designed for the Baja SAE® collegiate competition. By incorporating belt dynamics the initial shifting stages could be modeled for the first time, and the other shifting stage modelling improved.
Student's future plans:
The student plans to pursue postgraduate studies under the Vehicle Dynamics Group of the Mechanical Engineering Department at UP. The focus will likely be on tyre modelling or vehicle handling performance.
Student: Karl Maartens Prins
Study Leader: Prof. Matthys M. Botha
Final Year Project Title: Finite Element Solver for Electromechanical Analysis
Project Summary:
My project develops an open-source FE solver for 2-D magnetostatic analysis, using two conventional adaptive methods and goal-oriented adaptive refinement to improve Maxwell Stress Tensor force accuracy while reducing computational cost, demonstrating the first known practical MST-based GOAFEM implementation.
Student's future plans:
I intend to continue developing this project and publish a journal paper with my supervisor based on its findings. Following my supervisor's recommendation, I plan to pursue an MEng in Electronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University, working with him on a new advanced research topic.
Student: Chiemeka Iroka & Akhanani Mbiyake
Study Leader: Dr Precious Biyela
Final Year Project Title: A performance-based assessment of poly-ionic liquid concentration limits in reverse osmosis membranes for water treatment
Project Summary:
This project evaluates how much poly-ionic liquid can be added to reverse osmosis membranes without harming their structure or performance. By testing membranes with different PIL levels, the study finds that 1.4 wt.% is the maximum concentration that maintains both integrity and effective desalination.
Student's future plans:
Chiemeka: I plan to immediately pursue a master’s degree to strengthen my expertise and hopefully secure a meaningful job in engineering consulting where I can apply my skills and grow professionally.
Akhanani: I plan to pursue a career in project engineering, where I can manage and deliver engineering projects effectively. My future plans also include pursuing a master’s degree.
