Dr Mlungisi Cele, Director-General of Science, Technology and Innovation, will officiate at the official opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Facility (AMF) and new offices of the Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
ASRI, originally established in 2009 as the Aerospace Systems Research Group (ASReG) and formally established as an institute within UKZN's School of Engineering in 2022, aims to become a global centre of excellence in aerospace propulsion research and development, to support South Africa's space engineering economy, and to develop skilled human capital in aerospace propulsion engineering.
The Advanced Manufacturing Facility plays an important role in enabling ASRI to bring its cutting-edge aerospace designs to life. By specialising in the production of advanced aerospace components developed by ASRI's engineers, the facility eliminates the need to outsource manufacturing processes. With the commissioning of the AMF, ASRI has achieved a significant milestone in localising its manufacturing capabilities.
The institute's research activities are funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The new ASRI offices feature, among other things, a boardroom with teleconferencing capabilities, a meeting room for smaller gatherings and an advanced computing facility for simulation work. This vastly improved workspace is expected to foster productivity, professionalism and community among staff and students, while attracting interest and funding from industry and higher education.
Event details:
Date: Tuesday, 11 November 2025
Time: 11:00 to 13:00
Venue: University of KwaZulu-Natal, School of Engineering, Howard College Campus, Durban
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