Industry Collaboration Drives Electric Vehicle Training at NMU

Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) has strengthened its partnership with Nelson Mandela University (NMU) through the donation of two electric trucks to help train the next generation of technicians and engineers for an electric future.

The initiative aims to bridge the gap between industry and academia by ensuring that the latest automotive technologies are incorporated into technical training. “Our collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University has helped align the university’s curriculum with current industry trends. This is particularly important as our focus is to help improve the quality of education and equip young people with the requisite skills for the future world of work,” says Celestin Ndhlovu, Executive Vice President for Corporate Services at Isuzu Motors South Africa.

For the automotive repair and maintenance sector, the move signals an important shift towards preparing for the service demands of electric vehicles (EVs). “Students from different faculties will gain valuable exposure through these electric vehicles. They will now be familiar with the Battery Management Systems, High Voltage Battery packs and High Torque motors,” says Andrew Young, Engineering Director at NMU.

The donated Isuzu NPR 400 and FTR 850 models were converted at the company’s Vehicle Conversion and Distribution Centre in Gqeberha in 2019. They are powered by rechargeable batteries that eliminate exhaust emissions and help reduce air pollution.

The collaboration is expected to benefit both the repair industry and the wider automotive manufacturing sector by producing graduates ready to work with advanced EV systems. “Our engineering relationship with IMSAf started with simple component testing and went on to performance testing of some of the Isuzu ICE engines,” Andrew adds.