Wits Business School (WBS) is pleased to announce that its African Energy Leadership Centre (AELC) has won the South African National Energy Association (SANEA)’s 2020 Energy Education Award.

The SANEA Energy Awards is an annual event at which SANEA and strategic sponsors celebrate achievements in the South African energy sector. 

WBS was the first tertiary education institution in Africa to establish a Centre dedicated to teaching and research in the field of energy leadership.  Energy supply and infrastructure are facing massive technological change and innovation across the continent, along with the pressing issue of climate change and the growing urgency to transition to renewable energy sources.

WBS identified the need to develop a new generation of solutions-oriented leaders to manage the challenges facing this vital sector, establishing the AELC in 2017 under the direction of Prof Rod Crompton and with funding support from the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA).

In early 2019, WBS welcomed the first cohorts of a Master of Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in the field of Energy Leadership.

“Naturally the AELC is very pleased to have won this award and to have its contribution recognised,” says Prof Crompton.  “A large number of people have been a part of this success and I would like to thank all of them for their contributions - because without them this would not have been possible. We are also very grateful to the CHIETA that has provided seed funding.”

Apart from rolling out cutting-edge academic programmes in energy leadership, the AELC has hosted numerous public lectures and panel discussions on issues facing the sector, such as carbon fuel tax, industry design, and liquid gas exploration in southern Africa, among others.

“WBS is thrilled that its AELC has been recognised in this way and my congratulations to Prof Crompton and his team,” says Prof Jannie Rossouw, Interim Head of School at WBS. “The school is committed to spearheading new research in areas of industry that are central to Africa’s economic growth and transformation, and importantly, to equipping our future business leaders with the relevant skills to manage the process.”