The Student Project Fund, an initiative designed to support engineering and technology students as they transform innovative ideas into practical solutions, has been launched by RS South Africa.
The initiative provides selected students with up to R10 000 worth of RS products, enabling them to access the tools and products needed to design, build, and test their projects. It forms part of RS’s wider commitment to education, innovation, and the development of future engineering talent.
The Student Project Fund is open to students enrolled in engineering or technology-related programmes at South African universities. Applicants are invited to submit proposals outlining their project, how the funding will support its development, and the potential impact of their innovation.
Through this initiative, RS aims to help bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world engineering by enabling students to gain practical experience in designing and developing working solutions.
“The Student Project Fund reflects RS’s commitment to supporting the next generation of engineers and innovators in South Africa,” says Wesley Hood, Education and Social Impact Specialist at RS South Africa. “By providing access to high-quality tools and products, we aim to help students transform their ideas into practical applications while gaining valuable hands-on experience that will prepare them for the workplace.”
The initiative has already supported several innovative student projects, highlighting the creativity and technical capabilities of South Africa’s emerging engineering talent.
Among the students supported through the fund is Iloke Alusala from the University of Cape Town, who is developing a vision-based drone positioning system designed to operate in environments where GPS signals are unavailable.
“This support from RS will help me acquire the products needed to continue developing my project. It is an exciting opportunity that brings my research one step closer to real-world application,” says Iloke.
Another recipient, Lilian Mutia, a PhD researcher at Nelson Mandela University, is working on a radio over fibre system aimed at enabling next-generation connectivity technologies.
“I am incredibly grateful for the support from RS through the Student Project Fund. The products will play an important role in helping me advance my research and continue developing the system,” says Lilian.
Projects supported through the initiative span a range of disciplines, including robotics, communication systems, renewable energy technologies, and environmental innovation, reflecting the diverse ways in which students are using engineering to address real-world challenges.
Through initiatives such as the Student Project Fund, RS continues to invest in engineering education and innovation by empowering students to develop technologies that can make a meaningful impact on society.
Applications for the RS South Africa Student Project Fund Competition are now open and will close on 30 May 2026.
Students aged 18 and older who are registered in engineering or technology-related programmes and are members of the RS DesignSpark community are eligible to apply.
To learn more about the Student Project Fund and submit an application, visit:
Student Project Fund.
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About RS
RS is a global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, enabling them to operate efficiently and sustainably.
We operate in 36 markets, stock over 800,000 industrial and specialist products and list an additional five million relevant for our industrial customers, sourced from over 2,500 suppliers. This extensive range supports our customers across the industrial lifecycle of designing, building, and maintaining equipment and operations.
We enhance their experience through a tailored service model, leveraging our efficient physical, digital and process infrastructure sustainably. We combine a technically led and digitally enabled approach with an exceptional team of experts; ultimately, it’s our people that make the difference.
Our purpose, making amazing happen for a better world, reflects our focus on delivering results for people planet and profit.
RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1 and in the year ended 31 March 2024 reported revenue of £2,942 million.
For more information, please visit: www.rsonline.co.za
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RS South Africa
Princess.Tlou@rsgroup.com
+27 11 691 9366
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Wesley Hood, Education and Social Impact Specialist, RS South Africa
Iloke Alusala from the University of Cape Town
Lilian Mutia from Nelson Mandela University - RS South Africa Launches 2026 Student Project Fund for Future Engineers_ approved
RS South Africa Launches 2026 Student Project Fund for Future Engineers_ approved
