Trailblazing UCT lecturer receives coveted civil engineering award
Gundo Maswime, a lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Cape Town (UCT), has received the prestigious 2024 Academic Staff Award at the SANRAL SAICE Awards.
The event, presented by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) and the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE).
UCT's Velisile Bukula said that Maswime’s commitment to educating students for the challenges of the modern world while promoting professionalism and interdisciplinary thinking exemplifies the university’s purpose to nurture the next generation of leaders.
“I was truly humbled when the students approached me for permission to accept the nomination. Competing against numerous distinguished candidates from across the country, I was genuinely surprised to become a finalist and even more thrilled to receive the award.
“The demanding responsibility of preparing future engineers for the industry while simultaneously conducting research to influence policy often feels isolating and somewhat unnoticed. Receiving this recognition reassured me that the construction sector acknowledges and values my contributions,” said Maswime.
Maswime’s breakthrough teaching style, which mimics engineering’s ‘Limit State Design’ philosophy, ensures that students are equipped to deal with harsh conditions in their future employment.
“Teaching civil engineering in its ‘limit state’ ensures students are prepared beyond any scenario they might encounter in the industry,’’ Maswime said in his acceptance speech.
He added that UCT welcomes the best and most talented students from Africa and around the world.
“Our responsibility is to harness that potential by equipping them with the tools to solve complex, multidimensional problems as part of a multidisciplinary team. My recognition is a reflection of UCT’s unwavering dedication to producing graduates who will transform the public infrastructure landscape.”
IOL