The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) officially opened its refurbished AberTech LAN, following a R2.2 million upgrade that has transformed the facility into a modern, technology-enabled learning space for Engineering students.
The upgraded LAN provides an enhanced environment for computer-aided drawing, engineering design, digital modelling and specialised engineering software applications.
The refurbishment was made possible through the support of Aberdare Cables, with funding facilitated by the UKZN Foundation. The investment strengthens the partnership between Aberdare Cables and UKZN, providing Engineering students with improved technological resources and an environment designed to meet the demands of contemporary engineering education.
The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, attended the launch and addressed guests.
Dube-Ncube said the LAN would ensure graduates had access to reliable, up-to-date technology. “A student who learns on outdated machines risks graduating with outdated skills. A student who models, simulates, codes and designs on current systems enters the workplace ready to contribute from the first day.”
Dube-Ncube encouraged Aberdare and the School of Engineering to build on the partnership by creating Work-Integrated Learning opportunities, internships and workplace placements that would help students transition from the classroom to industry. “Our Annual Performance Plan for 2026/27 commits the department to expanding access, improving quality, and making our institutions more responsive to the economy. Partnerships like this are how those commitments become tangible outcomes,” she said.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Professor Fhatuwani Mudau, said the facility was originally established as an engineering drawing space and was transformed into a computer laboratory in the early 1990s.
Mudau said: “Since 1993 it has supported generations of Engineering students as they developed the knowledge and practical skills needed to enter their professions. Today, that legacy continues through a significant transformation. The redesigned facility provides a modern, collaborative learning environment, increasing its capacity from 98 to 163 students. This is an important development as we respond to growing student numbers and the changing demands of engineering education.”
Professor Glen Snedden of Mechanical Engineering at UKZN said the refurbishment represented a significant investment in the future of engineering education.
“The facility plays a vital role in the training of all Engineering students, providing them with essential drawing, design and digital engineering skills. The refurbishment has created a modern, welcoming learning space that better supports teaching needs and growing student enrolments,” said Snedden.
“Engineering practice today is driven by advanced digital tools and software. Beyond foundational drawing and design instruction, this facility supports training in the specialised software applications that engineers use daily across industry,” said Snedden. “It ensures our students graduate with the practical skills and technological proficiency required to succeed in an increasingly digital world.”
Aberdare Cables’ investment forms part of the company’s broader commitment to developing local engineering talent and strengthening its partnership with UKZN. In addition to its ongoing support for engineering and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) student bursaries at the University, the company sees the AberTech LAN as a platform for students to access advanced technological resources and engage in collaborative research, engineering modelling and project development.
The investment also supports Aberdare Cables’ socio-economic development objectives by strengthening educational infrastructure in a region central to South Africa’s manufacturing and engineering ecosystem.
Aberdare Cables CEO, Mr Ken Wang, said partnerships between industry and universities were essential to prepare Engineering graduates for the demands of the modern workplace and creating opportunities for technological advancement.
Said Wang: “Our investment in the AberTech LAN at UKZN reflects Aberdare Cables’ firm belief that the future of South Africa’s industrial and engineering capability lies in our youth. By providing world-class infrastructure, we are not just upgrading a computer LAN – we are empowering the next generation of engineers with the tools, technology and environment they need to innovate, solve complex energy challenges and lead our industry forward.”
The refurbishment also lays the foundation for a broader, long-term partnership between Aberdare Cables and UKZN. Potential areas of collaboration include research in power distribution, materials science and other engineering technologies as well as mentorship, guest lectures, technical workshops and practical industry exposure through site visits and training opportunities.
These initiatives could give students greater exposure to industry standards, emerging technologies and real-world engineering challenges, while enabling Aberdare Cables to engage with emerging talent and draw on UKZN’s research expertise.
UKZN Foundation Executive Director, Mr Steve Camp, said the project demonstrated the tangible impact of partnerships in addressing the University’s infrastructure and student development needs.
Camp added: “The refurbishment of the AberTech LAN demonstrates what can be achieved when industry, philanthropy and the University work together towards a common goal. This investment directly enhances the learning environment for our Engineering students and helps ensure they have access to the technology and resources needed to succeed.”
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photographs: Sethu Dlamini
