Stellenbosch University Platform of Vocational Excellence in Water

"A Hackathon, what the Hack"❓ On 20 and 21 November, the Hanse-Parlament participated in its first Hackathon in Stellenbosch, South Africa as part of the Platform of Vocational Excellence Water 🌊🇿🇦 Thank you to Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA), Stellenbosch University and Wij zijn Katapult for the great organisation. Want to know more about the Hackathon? Watch the video 👇 Manuel Nicholas Jackson Yorrick van Bree Boudewijn Grievink Luke Klazen Tom Bastiaan Sandis Dejus Asiphe Cosa Mary Ramonyatse Bowen Langmead Annah Aphia Umunezero Maëla Barçon #PoVEWater #WaterSector #WaterInnovation #WaterforAll #VET #Hackathon #Collaboration

We are grateful for the opportunity provided by the CoVE South Africa project, funded by the European Union Erasmus+ programme, which allowed college staff to strengthen their project management skills and collaborate with international professionals!

Empowering Students and Stakeholders: Lovedale CoVE Hub Hosts Impactful Workshop The Lovedale CoVE Hub, as part of the Erasmus European Union funded project Centres of Vocational Excellence in Climate Smart Agriculture in South Africa, hosted an interactive and informative Innovative Farming Practices for Smart Agriculture workshop. Click on the link below to learn more about workshop facilitated, amongst others, by speakers from the CSIR, University of Fort Hare, Buffalo City Fresh Produce Market and the Harvest-360 App. https://lnkd.in/dan7x-fU

Exciting strides in water skills development! The Platform of Vocational Excellence in Water (POVE Water) is transforming TVET Colleges by enhancing water-related programmes. This initiative bridges the gap between training institutions and industry, encouraging private and public sector water role players to provide work-experiential learning opportunities.   Last week, #EWSETA, Stellenbosch University Platform of Vocational Excellence in Water, and POVE Water delegates from Latvia, the Netherlands, Germany, Estonia, and the Czech Republic proudly launched the POVE Water South Africa regional office at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS).   EWSETA is laying the foundation for a sustainable future through collaboration and innovation in water management. #POVEWater #SkillsDevelopment #WaterSector #EWSETA #StellenboschUniversity

We are exited to have the EWSETA, Umgeni Uthukela Water, Rand Water, TVET Colleges Lovedale, Vhembe, Capricorn, West Coast, UWC Institute for Water Studies, the National Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, being part of the Regional Platform for Vocational Excellence in Water. This week saw institutions from the South and the North which largely include our EU partners from different regions in Europe connecting. It is encouraging to note students from University and Colleges working together, which include water professionals from municipalities and government departments. This is the starting point of great things to come.

PoVE Water Hackathon in #Stellenbosch! 💧 Over the past two days, We hosted a dynamic hackathon where eight diverse teams tackled four challenges in water management: 1️⃣ Improving water quality monitoring and implementing real-time reporting. 2️⃣ Addressing water loss through leak detection and infrastructure maintenance. 3️⃣ Enhancing the use of predictive analytics for drought and flood management. 4️⃣ Boosting community engagement in water conservation efforts. Each team brought together a mix of students, industry professionals, and educators, working under intense, high-pressure conditions to craft innovative solutions in just 1.5 days! Special recognition goes to the participating VET students, who earned an exciting trip to Leeuwarden for the International Project Week Water 2025. Meanwhile, other students were rewarded with a Water Scholarship to continue their impactful work here in Stellenbosch. A huge thank you to everyone who participated, collaborated, and contributed to shaping a sustainable future for water management. 💙💧 Firda | CIV Water | Learning Hub Friesland | Wij zijn Katapult | Vitens | Yuverta| Maastricht School of Management | Universiteit Maastricht | Hogeschool Van Hall Larenstein – VHL University of Applied Sciences | Waterapplicatiecentrum (WAC)| Hanse-Parlament |Aeres VMBO en MBO Leeuwarden | MCAST | Water Services Corporation - Malta | Mendel University in Brno | CREA Hydro&Energy, z.s. | Kudelka žije | Lipka Group of Companies | WECF Deutschland | Rajasthan Technical University (RTU), Kota | Olaines Tehnoloģiju koledža | Latgales Industriālais tehnikums | Vidzemes Tehnoloģiju un dizaina tehnikums | Latvian water and wastewater works association | Järvamaa Kutsehariduskeskus | Eesti Vee-ettevõtete Liit | EfVET | Stellenbosch University #InternationalProjectWeeks #WaterTechnology #Collaboration #FutureLeaders #Teamwork #GlobalConnections #WaterTech

Monday marked the beginning of an exciting gathering at Stellenbosch University Water Institute, as we welcomed esteemed delegates from Estonia, Malta, the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Belgium, and Latvia to South Africa. Joining forces with local partners from various sectors across South Africa - including government, education, and water industries in Johannesburg, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and Cape Town - we converged to leverage our collective knowledge, experience, and expertise in addressing pressing water-related challenges. Over the next few days, we'll be sharing highlights from our collaborative efforts, featuring: - The launch of the South African Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) in Water, hosted by the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority -The Water Hackathon, where innovative solutions to water challenges will be developed We are extremely grateful to Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) and Platform of Vocational Excellence Water for being part of the planning and execution of this project. Stay tuned for updates on our progress, outcomes, and breakthroughs! #WaterInnovation #Collaboration #Innovation #WaterSecurity #WaterChallenges #WaterSolutions #HackForWater #InnovationChallenge #CallForAction #EnergyAndWaterEducation #WaterSectorTraining #SkillsDevelopment #SouthAfrica #WaterInstitute #AfricaWaterInnovation

After a wonderful welcome dinner yesterday, we officially kicked off the first day of the PoVE Water project meeting in Stellenbosch today. The focus of our gathering is to explore the innovative ecosystem of the Western Cape, understand the role of Stellenbosch University's institutes, and exchange expertise with colleagues from around the world to address South African water challenges. Our day began with an inspiring session on Day Zero—the moment when Cape Town faced the imminent risk of its taps running dry. This was followed by updates on the progress of various work packages, an engaging session on impact stories, and a tour of a wastewater treatment plant. looking forward to another inspiring day tomorrow! #povewater

Today marks the official launch of the first Platform of Vocational Excellence outside of Europe #PoVESouthAfrica. #EWSETA, Stellenbosch University Platform of Vocational Excellence in Water and European partners are gearing up to connect the “North and the South” to worldclass vocational excellence in the water sector. #watersector #waterskills #vocationaltraining #PartnershipsforImpact

Lovedale TVET College CoVE Hub links students with industry through the successful completion of their “WIL Week in Climate Smart Agriculture”. The regional CoVE hub is being established through the European funded Erasmus+ programme CoVE in Climate Smart Agriculture in South Africa. Click on the link below to read more about the different farms and higher educational institutions the students visited. https://lnkd.in/dt5Jxdkx