Short Courses
Green Hydrogen Technology
Date and duration: 12-16 May 2025
This module will introduce the fundamental concepts related to green hydrogen, for both technologists and policy makers. It begins with production of green energy, the conversion of electrons to hydrogen through several production technologies, the storage, transportation and handling of hydrogen, how hydrogen can be directly used or finally converted to other valuable products downstream.
| Presenter(s): | Accreditation: |
| Prof Robbie Pott Prof Prathieka Naidoo | Certificate of attendance (4 CPD points) Certificate of competence (4 CPD points) |
Green electricity
- Characteristics of renewable produced electricity.
- Requirements from a renewable energy grid on hydrogen production
Hydrogen production technologies
- Source of electricity.
- Feedstock
- Electrolysis
- Alternative routes
Storage, Transportation and Handling
- Storage (pressure, cryogenics, solids)
- Transportation (rail, pipeline, liquid, carriers)
Direct hydrogen use
- Energetic use (fuel cells, FCEV, gas-steam, combustion)
- Material use (steel, concrete, chemicals)
Downstream processing
- Energy carrier (Ammonia, syn fuels, LOHC)
- Green products (PtX, green ammonia, methanol)
- Calculation of process efficiency
Bioenergy
Date and duration: 2-6 June 2025
The practical and commercial application of various technologies for biomass conversion into bioenergy. The production of first- and second-generation biofuels as well as other forms of renewable energy, such as electricity, will be covered.
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Specific topics include:
- Sustainable supply of biomass for bioenergy production
- Electricity production from biomass
- Bio-ethanol production, including substrate preparation, microbial conversion and separations
- Thermo-chemical conversions, including combustion, gasification and pyrolysis, and the use of these for green electricity production
- Biogas production, for example from landfill sites, animal dung and waste-water treatment
Biodiesel production, including process basics, product purification and waste treatment
ARM Geometallurgy in Practice
Date and duration: 11-13 June 2025
A foundational course introducing geometallurgy, its workflows, and practical tools for optimising resource efficiency through data-driven block modelling and empirical test work
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- To introduce the concept and purpose of geometallurgy.
- To provide a comprehensive appreciation of geometallurgical workflows and inter-disciplinary systems-thinking approaches to the minerals sector.
- To develop competence in determining relevant test work for determination of geometallurgical variables.
- To introduce data management and data processing techniques.
- To introduce tools and processes for developing geometallurgical block models
Aseptic Processing in the Manufacture of Biotech & Pharmaceutical Products
Date and duration: 23-24 June 2025
This course presents the technical fundamentals that govern aseptic processing operations and provides sufficient practical advice for attendees to effectively troubleshoot and manage their own operations.
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| 2 CPD points ECSA accredited |
Following an introduction to sanitary principles of engineering and quantitative microbiology, this short course reviews steam, heat, chemical and radiation sterilization of objects, devices and products, filter sterilization of liquids and gases, aseptic fill and finish operations and validation as they are applied in the fermentation, biotech and pharmaceutical industries. These diverse processing methods and strategies are presented with technical explanations of how and why these methods work. Case studies are used to illustrate practical applications. The course is not about regulatory compliance but does address sterile practice in the context of Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines where appropriate. The course includes in-class problems and solutions to help participants apply what they have learned.
Good Manufacturing Practice for Food Biotech & Pharmaceutical Products
Date and duration: 26-27 June 2025
Manufacturers of foods, pharmaceuticals. vaccines and biologics follow Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines so that products can be sold into regulated markets.
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The goal of this course is to train technical professionals and manufacturing managers in the practical implementation of Good Manufacturing Practice so they know how to comply with standards set by PICs and other regulatory bodies. The course teaches ten overarching principles of Good Manufacturing Practice using lectures, specific examples and recent case studies that illustrate how GMP works in practice. The course is unique because it avoids tedious recitation of the written regulations as a means of presenting and illustrating the GMP guidelines.
A formal competency exam for use by companies sponsoring delegates is available Sight Skills Development on request and for an extra cost after delegates have completed the course.
Green Hydrogen Project Engineering
Date and duration:25-29 August 2025
Understanding the principles and techniques applied in the definition of industrial and commercial projects for green hydrogen production, conversion, storage, handling and end application, with consideration of the integration of technologies and supply chains in a manner that optimizes the economic and environmental benefits.
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Technical design and feasibility deal with technology selection in various steps of the green hydrogen value chain, with consideration of technology performances, sizing and location for efficiency supply chains. Economic assessment includes all aspects of costing along the green hydrogen value chain, considering natural resources, renewable energy, conversion, storage, handling and end-use dimensions. Consideration of market opportunities and supply chain requirements to capture these.
Environmental assessment considers the broader framework of sustainability and the various certification methods applied in product categories such as green hydrogen and the products derived from it. Methods of quantitative and qualitative assessment of green hydrogen value chains, including definition of boundaries, will be considered. The interplay between economic viability and environmental/sustainability credentials, is an important consideration for definition of project concepts.
Project selection on the basis of a multi-criteria platform, considering technical, economic and environmental/ sustainability issues, is an important requirement to prioritise project concepts for further development.
Good Manufacturing Practice for Food Biotech & Pharmaceutical Products
Date and duration: 27-28 November 2025
Manufacturers of foods, pharmaceuticals. vaccines and biologics follow Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines so that products can be sold into regulated markets.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, you will/can:
• Implement Good Manufacturing Practice in a manufacturing environment.
• Develop a practical compliance strategy for your Department.
• Institute changes in your organization that will improve GMP compliance.
• Audit your own manufacturing organization.
• Know how to validate a manufacturing process or unit operation.
• Challenge the proper installation and commissioning of new equipment.
• See Good Manufacturing Practice as part of a total quality control system.
• Appreciate the challenges faced by regulatory agencies themselves.
• Have sufficient knowledge to train others in GMP compliance.
• Cite examples of compliance in a manufacturing environment.
Aseptic Processing in the Manufacture of Biotech & Pharmaceutical Products
Date and duration: 24– 25 November 2025
This course presents the technical fundamentals that govern aseptic processing operations and provides sufficient practical advice for attendees to effectively troubleshoot and manage their own operations. Following an introduction to sanitary principles of engineering and quantitative microbiology, this short course reviews steam, heat, chemical and radiation sterilization of objects, devices and products, filter sterilization of liquids and gases, aseptic fill and finish operations and validation as they are applied in the fermentation, biotech and pharmaceutical industries.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
During and upon completion of this course, you will:
• Understand the importance of sanitary design principles in aseptic processing
• Approach cleaning validation as a quantitative science
• Know how to properly sterilize equipment in preparation for processing
• Learn the difference between aseptic processing and terminal sterilization
• Appreciate what is expected in the operation of an aseptic filling operation
• Understand the technical fundamentals behind filter sterilization
• Begin to apply risk management strategies to aseptic operations
• Be in a better position to manage the use of clean rooms and isolators
• Know more about chemical and ra1diation sterilization
• Learn the concept of validation as defined and interpreted by compliance bodies
• Understand the broader requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice
• Solve a variety of practical problems related to aseptic processing operations
• Receive practical tips on how to troubleshoot your aseptic operations
• Learn how to use the case study approach to solve contamination problems