PRASA Avails 250 Bursaries
to Students Country-Wide

12 July 2011

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will be awarding 250 bursaries to Engineering students nation-wide.

The initiative is the first since PRASA was established by government two years ago in a bid to stabilise and promote passenger rail services. The bursary initiative will be the first of many initiatives taken by PRASA in its quest to revive rail engineering.

Currently, PRASA has embarked on a Market Engagement exercise in preparation for the acquisition of its new rolling stock (trains) over the next 20 years. In addition, PRASA has already begun with its new train signaling project. Both projects form the basis for rail engineering which is the focus for the bursaries offered by PRASA.

BURSARY DETAILS:

The PRASA Corporate Bursary Scheme offers students the opportunity to enroll at any South African University for full time studies. Applicants may choose from any engineering disciplines, provided that subject choices are acceptable and advantage PRASA i.e. Electrical Engineering (Electronics), Rolling Stock (Technicians), Perway (Rail Maintenance), Signaling (Technicians), Facilities and Electrical.

Bursary Courses:

• Bachelor of Engineering,
• Bachelor of Science, or
• an Honours Degree.

The PRASA bursary covers:

• Registration fees
• Tuition fees and books
• Residence and Meal fees

Conditions for acceptance:

• Candidates must have at least a D – symbol in Mathematics.
• Continuation of a Bursary will depend on candidate performance.
• Should studies be discontinued or study field changed without PRASA’s approval, the bursary holder will be obliged to reimburse PRASA for all the relevant fees.
• Bursary holders repeating courses will do so at their own expense.
• It is expected of bursary holders to do a minimum four weeks’ vacation work per year at PRASA.
• Applicants MUST be South African citizens and will be subject to PRASA’s normal selection process.

Qualification requirements:

• Currently or willing to study towards BSc. Eng/B. Eng/ B. Tech or S4 Diploma in Electrical/Rolling Stock Engineering.
• Grade 10 with Mathematics.
• Candidates must be willing to be registered with ECSA as Pr. Eng or Professional Technologist.

PRASA encourages candidates with the ability to work under pressure, who are client orientated, team players who have a sense of urgency, they must be positive, motivated and responsible to apply by login onto www.prasa.com and check under “opportunities” for bursaries and download the application form and also get the background on the bursary. PRASA will also place an advertisement in the Sunday Time’s careers section.

Contact details:

email address: talent@prasa.com or call on 011 773 1426