Advanced Diploma in Pulp and Paper Technology

Purpose

This qualification will provide opportunities for professional development for general Bachelor's Degree or Diplomats entering the pulp or paper industry by providing an intensive, focused specialisation in the technologies of pulp and paper manufacture.

In addition, the Advanced Diploma will provide graduates of the Diploma in Pulp and Paper Technology with a deeper understanding of the pulp and paper manufacturing technologies and associated quantitative and managerial techniques, with a view to enhancing their ability to solve more complex practice-related problems in the industry.

The pulp and paper industry is a specialised field of Chemical Engineering. There are many processes and technologies which are very specific to the industry, which are not covered in standard chemical engineering qualifications. The curriculum of this qualification thus provides very industry-specific knowledge, methods and techniques.

Rationale

The Department of Chemical Engineering currently offers a National Diploma in Pulp and Paper Technology and a Bachelor of Technology in Pulp and Paper Technology. The department will continue to offer the Diploma, and will replace the Bachelor of Technology programme with an Advanced Diploma in Pulp and Paper Technology.

The South African Forest Products industry employs over 165000 people and contributed 6.2% to manufacturing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2012. The South African pulp and paper industry operates in a very competitive global market, and needs to maintain its competitive position by having competent operational staff to operate modern plant and equipment, and who can adapt to future advances in technology. The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa) has supported, and will continue to support pulp and paper qualifications at this institution by seconding appropriate lecturing staff.

The National Development Plan has as an objective of re-industrialisation of South Africa's economy. This implies that manufacturing activity, inter alia the pulp and paper industry will be encouraged and stimulated. The industry would thus need specialized scarce skills at technician and technologist level.

The current B.Tech: Pulp and Paper Technology programme has produced on average twenty graduates per year since its inception in 1996. This qualification will continue to supply the anticipated annual need for between 10 and 20 process technologists in the South African pulp and paper industry. According to the Industry Sector Skills Plans, about 10 process engineers, 10 production managers, 10 process controllers and 30 plant operators are required per year, with Levels 4 to 7 qualifications.

Completion of this qualification will give these graduates an opportunity for entry into a relevant Postgraduate Diploma.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL may be used to demonstrate competence for admission to this qualification. This qualification may be achieved in part through Recognition of Prior Learning processes.

• The structure of this qualification makes RPL possible, if the learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes as would be achieved in the qualification.
• Learners who already work in the pulp and paper or allied industry who believe they possess competencies to enable them to meet some or all of the Exit Level Outcomes listed in the qualification will be able to present themselves for assessment against those of their choice.
• Evidence of prior learning will be assessed through the formal institutional RPL process.
• Learners will be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment and will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission into the Advance Diploma is either a

• National Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science, Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Engineering or Science with 360 Credits, Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Engineering or Science with 240 Credits plus an additional minimum one year relevant work experience programme, Level 6.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 7, 120 Credits

• Pulp and paper sciences, 8 Credits.
• Fibre preparation, 32 Credits.
• Paper manufacture, 32 Credits.
• Environmental engineering, 8 Credits.
• Operations research and statistics, 10 Credits.
• Operations and project management, 10 Credits.
• Process optimisation project, 20 Credits.

1. Apply technological principles to systematically diagnose and solve broadly-defined process problems in the pulp and paper industry.
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of pulp and paper processing technology for the optimal solution of broadly-defined process problems, with an understanding of the limitations, restrictions, premises, assumptions and constraints.
3. Conduct investigations of broadly-defined problems through locating, searching and selecting relevant data from codes, data bases and literature, designing and conducting experiments, analysing and interpreting results to provide valid conclusions.
4. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with technical audiences and the affected parties.
5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of pulp and paper manufacturing activity on the society, economy, industrial and physical environment, and address issues by analysis and evaluation.
6. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of technical and financial management principles and apply these in a pulp and paper industry context, as a member and leader in a team and to manage projects.
7. Engage in independent and life-long learning through well-developed learning skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyse and define the problem and identify the criteria for an acceptable solution.
• Identify relevant information and technological knowledge and skills for solving the problem.
• Generate and formulate possible approaches that would lead to a workable solution for the problem.
• Analyse possible solutions.
• Evaluate possible solutions and select the best solution.
• Formulate and present the solution in an appropriate form.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Bring to bear an appropriate mix of knowledge of pulp and paper technology, numerical analysis, statistics, natural science and engineering science at a fundamental level on the solution of broadly-defined processing problems.
• Utilise theories, principles and laws.
• Perform formal analysis and modelling on systems or processes.
• Communicate concepts, ideas and theories.
• Handle uncertainty and risk.
• Perform work within the boundaries of the practice area.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Plan investigations and experiments relevant to pulp and paper processing.
• Search available literature and evaluate material critically for suitability to the investigation.
• Perform analysis as necessary to the investigation.
• Select and use equipment or software as appropriate in the investigations.
• Analyse, interpret and derive information from available data.
• Draw conclusions from an analysis of all available evidence.
• Record the purpose, process and outcomes of the investigation in a technical report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Ensure the structure; style and language of written and oral communication are appropriate for the purpose of the communication and the target audience.
• Use graphics appropriately and effectively in enhancing the meaning of text.
• Use visual materials to enhance oral communications.
• Use accepted methods for providing information to others involved in the engineering activity for example, engineering drawings, as well as subject-specific methods.
• Deliver oral communication fluently with the intended meaning being apparent.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Explain the impact of technology in terms of the benefits and limitations to society.
• Analyse the manufacturing activity in terms of the impact on occupational and public health and safety.
• Analyse the manufacturing activity in terms of the impact on the physical environment.
• Take personal, social, economic, cultural values and requirements into consideration for those who are affected by the manufacturing activity.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Explain the principles of planning, organising, leading and controlling.
• Carry out individual work effectively, strategically and on time.
• Contribute to team activities, including at disciplinary boundaries and support the output of the team as a whole.
• Demonstrate functioning as a team leader.
• Organise and manage an optimisation project.
• Carry out effective communication in the context of individual and team work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Manage learning tasks autonomously and ethically, individually and in learning groups.
• Reflect upon learning undertaken and determine own learning requirements and strategies to suit personal learning style and preferences.
• Source, organise and evaluate relevant information.
• Comprehend and apply knowledge acquired outside of formal instruction.
• Challenge assumptions critically and embrace new thinking.
• Accept responsibility for consequences arising from own actions.
• Understand the ethical implications of decisions made.

Integrated Assessment

The Advanced Diploma qualification will combine formative and summative assessment methodologies. There will be multiple assessment opportunities for the learner to develop and demonstrate the various Exit Level Outcomes associated with this qualification. There will be constructive alignment between the development of the intended outcomes, learning activities and assessment activities. Some of the assessment methodologies will include: tests, assignments, exams, projects, portfolios, oral assessments and presentations, tutorials, etc. The qualification has a capstone optimisation project, which will ensure that multiple outcomes and critical cross-field outcomes are evaluated in an integrated manner.

In terms of the institutional policy all summative assessments will be subjected to internal moderation. In addition, all Level 7 modules will be subjected to external moderation.