By Tiyiselani Precious Miyambu
Practical training in chromatography, made possible through an industry-academic partnership, is enabling chemistry students at the North-West University (NWU) to develop problem-solving skills and gain confidence in managing real-world laboratory tasks.
The NWU’s subject group Chemistry recently partnered with PerkinElmer, a global corporation that develops scientific technologies for detection, imaging, and informatics, to hold a "Lunch and learn" event aimed at providing honours students with practical training in chromatography.
Prof Zimbili Zondi, head of the subject group, emphasised the importance of such industry-academic partnerships. "This event goes beyond merely sharing knowledge; it is about building relationships that will propel the future of science in South Africa," she said. "Our students need exposure to the industry to understand the practical applications of their studies and the opportunities ahead."
The session took place at in the chemistry boardroom on the Mahikeng Campus and is part of an ongoing collaboration between the NWU and industry to equip students with essential laboratory skills.
Why chromatography matters
Chromatography is a collection of techniques used to separate elements within complex mixtures, allowing scientists to identify unknown substances by analysing their molecular properties. It plays a crucial role in chemical analyses and quality assessments across various scientific and industrial fields.
This session bridged theoretical knowledge from the classroom with practical activities, offering students hands-on experience in setting up, operating and troubleshooting chromatography equipment.
Led by Gertrude Makgatho, a field application specialist at PerkinElmer, the session included a detailed exploration of chromatography techniques, with students examining each stage of the process and participating in practical exercises using PerkinElmer's equipment.
The training covered key aspects such as sample preparation, separation techniques and data interpretation, stressing the importance of precision in chromatography for both scientific research and industrial applications.
Gertrude also discussed common technical challenges in chromatography demonstrating strategies to address these issues and maintain accuracy and productivity in lab work.
Sessions of this kind support the shared goal of the NWU and its industry partners to enhance student proficiency in essential laboratory techniques, preparing them to meet current industry standards. By integrating hands-on training with theoretical learning, students gain a comprehensive understanding of processes such as chromatography, giving them a competitive edge as they move into science-focused careers.
Students, academics from the NWU’s subject group Chemistry, and members of PerkinElmer.
