"Engineering or technology is all about using the power of science to make life better for people, to reduce cost, to improve comfort, to improve productivity, etc." These words by NR Narayana Murthy align with Sandile Dladla's vision for his research and teaching in engineering. He believes that engineering should serve the people, the economy, and contribute to a better quality of life. This passion drives his work at the University of the Free State (UFS), where he is committed to creating impactful solutions, particularly in water management, and to mentoring students to become future engineering leaders.
Dladla, who joined the UFS as a lecturer in the Department of Engineering Sciences in June 2022, brought with him a deep knowledge base and a passion for both teaching and research. His responsibilities include developing academic initiatives, refining the curriculum, and guiding students as they prepare for careers in engineering. He is also involved in research and collaborations through projects such as the Higher Education Partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa (HEP SSA) project, funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Equip engineers in sub-Saharan Africa
Through his involvement in the HEP SSA project, Dladla contributes to efforts that aim to equip engineers in sub-Saharan Africa with the skills needed to address local and global challenges. The project awards grants to universities across the region to support knowledge creation, curriculum review, joint research, and collaborations with industry. Dladla explains, “My involvement began with an invitation to participate in a collaborative effort between the UFS and other institutions, such as the University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Zimbabwe, University of Venda, and the Fort Cox Agriculture and Forestry Training Institute. Our goal is to strengthen academic-industry partnerships and promote engineering education in the region.”
In this involvement with the HEP SSA project, Dladla has also been responsible for ensuring that UFS initiatives are in line with industry standards, which includes developing an Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering programme. He has participated in curriculum review workshops and has coordinated a workshop to advance the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering degree at the UFS. Important to him is aligning courses with industry needs and supporting preparations for accreditation processes, ensuring that students gain skills relevant to the job market.
The HEP SSA project falls under the broader Africa Catalyst Phase 5 initiative, which aims to strengthen professional engineering bodies in sub-Saharan Africa. Dladla believes that these organisations are key to promoting engineering professionalism and building local capacity to address sustainable development challenges.
Dladla has been selected to visit the University of Lincoln’s Institute of Agri-Food Technology in the United Kingdom, where he will observe the latest advancements in engineering education. This visit will allow him to engage in knowledge exchange, particularly regarding agricultural engineering, and equip him with the skills to develop early-career academics by exposing them to international best practices. “I look forward to learning from industry-based approaches to curriculum review and building capacity through exposure to innovative teaching methods,” he says. This visit is also to strengthen the professional network between academia and industry.
According to Dr Jacques Maritz, Senior Lecturer: Department of Engineering Sciences, this engagement at the University of Lincoln’s Institute of Agri-Food Technology in the United Kingdom also supports the research agenda of the Hydro-science research group (led by Dladla) and the strategy of the Department of Engineering Sciences.
Withstanding extreme weather events
Dladla’s contributions to the Hydro-science research group focus on improving water and environmental management through advanced research. He holds BSc and MSc degrees in Agricultural Engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with a strong background in environmental hydrology and post-harvest engineering technology. Dladla is currently pursuing his PhD, titled: Joint Probability Modelling of Flood Variables at the same institution. His research in flood risk management aims to address limitations in traditional flood estimation methods by using multivariate modelling to capture complex flood characteristics. He explains, “Floods are multifaceted events, and my research aims to improve the design of hydraulic infrastructure to better withstand extreme weather events. This contributes to sustainable water management strategies that benefit communities and support resilient infrastructure.”
Dladla views his upcoming visit to the UK as an opportunity to further his professional development and bring valuable perspectives back to the university. He notes, “This opportunity means a great deal to me, it’s an exciting time to exchange ideas with experts, learn from their practices, and bring that knowledge back to South Africa, contributing to both our academic programmes and the engineering profession.”