NUST Soltrain, a project of the Industrial Manufacturing and Engineering won a bronze medal award in the Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Energy (WASHen) conference  at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Grounds. 

The annual WASHen 2018 Conference, organized by the ZITF Company is a two day event that allows business executives, academia, labour and civil society organizations in the Environment and Waste Management industry to discuss challenges facing Zimbabwe. The conference also gives attendants a platform to propose innovative solutions to counter these challenges, thereby fostering economic growth. 

The theme for this years’ exhibition was ‘Catalysing Socio-Economic Transformation through Wash Synergies’. The main highlight of this year’s event was the inaugural Climate Change conference which emphasized the need for action to mitigate climate change and its global challenges.

 Eng. S. Mhlanga, B. Sarema, A. Mkandla and G. Munhuwamhambo represented NUST in showcasing the Solar Thermal Mobile Training Unit (SOLTRAIN). The SOLTRAIN was towed to the venue on the 14th of November in readiness for the exhibition. The solar water heating and PV system on the trailer justified its relevance to the theme of the exhibition. 

According to Eng. Mhlanga, the event went well with exhibitors explaining key concepts on the need to harness renewable energy technology. He added that the professional contact and enthusiasm by the team did not go unnoticed as the team did not only scoop a medal but also received uplifting comments from the judges. They were encouraged to venture into manufacturing and installation of the solar water heating and photovoltaic units. 

Speakers during the event included Energy and Power Development permanent Secretary Engineer Gloria Magombo, Renewable Energy Association of Zimbabwe (REAZ) Chairman Mr Isaiah Nyakusendwa as well as senior representatives from the Infrastructural Development Bank of Zimbabwe, ZESA and Distributed Power Africa, among others.