SAIMechE R Sharp Awards

Mr Ralph G. Sharp (Hon FSAIMechE) was a former Chairman of the SAIMechE KZN Branch, long standing member and great friend of the Institution. He was recognised for his immeasurable contribution to the Institution and engineering profession when he received his Honorary Fellowship in 2007. His passing was a great loss to the Institution and the profession. He was a brilliant engineer, a fine man and an excellent mentor. Those who knew him were very fond of him.

Ralph had entrusted SAIMechE with an endowment from his estate, to provide bursaries or grants to students studying mechanical engineering at Wits and UKZN.

Students were notified about the funds, and given an opportunity to apply for this. Although there were various factors taken into account, consideration was given to both academic record and financial need. Following consultation between Wits and SAIMechE, these students from Wits University were selected:

• Nduduzo Simamane

• Uzair Kaka

• Edward Rycroft

SAIMechE congratulates these students and wishes them the very best in their future endeavours.

Pictured above: Vaughan Rimbault (SAIMechE CEO), with the 3 award recipients: Uzair Kaka, Edward Rycroft, Nduduzo Simamane and Prof Robert Reid (Wits, Head of School: Mechanical, Aeronautical and Industrial Engineering).