The University of the Free State’s (UFS’s) Faculty of Education, in partnership with the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), recently hosted the SANRAL University Tour, which provided UFS students with valuable insights into and opportunities in road engineering.

The event that recently took place at the Equitas Auditorium on the Bloemfontein Campus was themed ‘Engineering your future through roads’.

Some of the opportunities outlined to students included bursary opportunities, learnerships, and internships.

Dudley Mbambo, SANRAL Eastern Region Operations and Maintenance Manager, said he wished he had been exposed to SANRAL opportunities while he was still a student. “The agency requires a diverse range of skills, creating opportunities for learnerships and internships not only in STEM fields but also in areas like law, finance, and communications. The government funds these opportunities through networks such as VAT and tolls.”

Mbambo also highlighted that with the advent of the fourth industrial revolution and ongoing innovation, there is a growing need for skills to develop applications like Smart Mobility. This app addresses challenges and opportunities related to transport systems, infrastructure, transport operations, and logistics management, supporting industrial and sustainable development. He also mentioned Vala Zonke, an initiative that helps communities report potholes.

SANRAL Research Chair in Science and Mathematics Education

Prof Loyiso Jita, Dean of the Faculty of Education and SANRAL Research Chair in Science and Mathematics Education, said that since the inception of the Research Chair in 2014, the chair has produced about 40 PhD graduates in science, math and technology education across South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.

“The opportunities in the SANRAL Research Chair help to empower our students in multiple ways,” Prof Jita said. “Not only do we offer a range of experiences for postgraduate students, but we also employ our undergraduates as research assistants, guiding them towards becoming skilled researchers in the future. This developmental approach of the Chair has yielded significant returns on investment; for example, one of our PhD graduates is the current Free State Member of the Executive Council for Education. This success demonstrates that our impact extends beyond the university, positively influencing and empowering our government and society.”

An incredible learning journey

SANRAL Junior Project Engineer Nokuthula Mazibuko studied through a SANRAL bursary and encouraged UFS students to take advantage of the bursary options available. She said she has grown immensely through hands-on experience and mentorship, gaining invaluable insights into the industry. “It was an incredible journey to be where I am today,” she said. “Although funding doesn’t guarantee employment, it exposes you to various professionals and allows you to compete for employment.”

Besides job opportunities, SANRAL offers a range of opportunities to high school learners and university students, including:

• Internships.

Mbambo reminded students that a SANRAL reorganisation includes opening an office in Bloemfontein, which means there will be more SANRAL employment opportunities within the Free State.

For more information click here for the livestream; students can visit the SANRAL website or email internshipser@nra.ac.za.