The Department of Process Engineering boasts a thriving postgraduate research environment with approximately 130 registered postgraduate candidates, including researchers from across Africa and the globe. Our department is also proud of an active Postgraduate Student Council (PGSC), which leads and serves the postgraduate cohort with academic and social support, as well as community engagement. Meet them below!
Meet our Postgraduate Student Council

I am a fun-loving person, but I enjoy music more than a lot of things in life. My hobbies reflect that: guitar playing and songwriting.
Kudzai Chiodza

Before living in Stellenbosch, I grew up and went to school in Gaborone, Botswana. Attending an international school exposed me to many people from different places and backgrounds, which I feel has made me very welcoming and friendly.
Darné Nunes

I have a love-hate relationship with coffee. I like to laugh and like to think I have a sharp sense of humour, but my jokes are mostly lame. I also have a lowkey obsession with anything Korean. Shame.
Veronica Lourens

I am an outgoing person always willing to be of help and create a welcoming atmosphere around me. I like to smile and find the bright side to every situation I find myself in. Call me an optimist!
Mensah Brobbey

I have been at the faculty since 2016 now and it has become a special place to me. I hope through my effort and dedication as an engineer I can make 2022 an extra fun year to be a postgraduate. Also, I like woodworking, camping, and most socials interactions in general.
Roelof Maritz

I am from East London, in the Eastern Cape. I enjoy console and tabletop games and a bit of music. I play the guitar, bagpipes and trumpet, although I haven’t actually touched a
trumpet in years…
Izak Schlebusch

I grew up on a dairy farm near George. I completed my BEng in Chemical Engineering at SU. During my final year project, I developed a deep interest in bioprocessing, especially anaerobic digestion. As a hobby, I enjoy playing the clarinet. I see myself as a person with a high standard of work ethics, who values honesty and pays attention to detail.
Judi Kuyler
Meet our Postgraduate Candidates
Research Topic
Utilization of waste cooking oil as potential feedstock for surfactant production
Supervisor(s) / Promotor(s)
Prof Neill Goosen & Dr Margreth Tadie
Professional Summary
My research topic for Master’s concerns utilising waste cooking oil as a potential feedstock for the production of greener chemicals, with a specific focus on the production of surfactants. I am hardworking, diligent and a precisionist. I am always seeking opportunities to improve the skills I have gained thus far. I believe in creative engineering solutions, and I have a diverse interest in the engineering and science fields.
After obtaining my Master’s degree, I would like to start a career as an engineer in the oil and gas industry, waste valorisation industry or mining industry. For my future engineering career, I want to use my knowledge and experience in designing new ground-breaking systems which can help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of processes in various industries, while also helping to create a greener planet.