A new chapter in engineering education has begun with the opening of the Xcel Campus on the grounds of the Ferdinand Postma High School, creating more opportunities for students who aspire to become engineers but did not initially meet the university admission requirements.
The Xcel programme, a partnership between the Faculty of Engineering at the North-West University (NWU) and the Ferdinand Postma High School, provides students with a second opportunity to strengthen their Mathematics and Physical Science results, while developing the skills needed for engineering studies.
According to Prof. Marco le Roux, deputy dean for teaching and learning in the Faculty of Engineering, the new campus provides a permanent home for a programme that has transformed the lives of many aspiring engineers over the past decade.
“The new campus allows us to have a permanent home for the Xcel programme and further enables us to expand the vision of giving hope to future engineers. In return, it allows a larger intake of undergraduate engineering students who would otherwise have been lost to the profession and the NWU,” he said.
The programme has produced a steady stream of success stories since its inception. On average, between 70% and 80% of Xcel students achieve results that meet the admission requirements of the Faculty of Engineering and enrol for engineering studies the following year.
Among its notable achievements is the journey of the first student of the programme, who is now employed by the Industry and Community Engagement group of the faculty, while pursuing part-time doctoral studies in engineering.
Prof. Le Roux said the impact of the programme was also evident among recent graduates.
“At the end of 2025, half the students who were rewarded for the best final-year projects in the different engineering programmes were Xcel students. Many others are currently working in the industry as engineers and/or have completed postgraduate qualifications in Engineering.”
The new facilities will allow the programme to accommodate more students while maintaining a personalised learning environment. The campus includes five classrooms, compared to the previous three, creating space for growth without increasing class sizes.
“The new facilities allow for uninterrupted, personal interaction with the teachers and facilitators. It is flexible and well equipped to allow for individual as well as group interactions when needed,” said Prof. Le Roux.
Beyond improving Mathematics and Physical Science results, students receive training in Computer-Aided Design (CAD), computer programming and project management through practical design projects.
“Students are being made aware of the necessity of time management, communication and early intervention, which are essential for engineering students, given their busy curriculum,” he explained.
Prof. Le Roux believes programmes such as Xcel play an important role in addressing the engineering skills shortage in South Africa by identifying talented individuals whose school results may not fully reflect their potential.
“These are engineers who will contribute to the economy of our country and who, without the intervention of the Xcel programme, may never have found their way into engineering.”
He thanked the Ferdinand Postma High School for sharing the vision of the programme and helping to make the new campus a reality.
Looking ahead, the faculty hopes to double the number of Xcel students.
“It is imperative that these students are not excluded by a system but are developed to reach their full potential. Support from the industry through bursaries can help address this need and give students the opportunities they deserve,” said Prof. Le Roux.
