UJ launches pioneer advanced Rescue Simulation Centre

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) on October 17 launched its new Rescue Simulation Centre at its Doornfontein Campus, in Johannesburg.

The four-storey, 3 000 m² facility was developed under UJ’s Health Sciences Faculty’s Department of Emergency Medical Care, and is supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

It aims to provide realistic, integrated training in one facility for students in UJ’s four-year Emergency Medical Care course, allowing them to rehearse complex, high-risk scenarios safely.

Prior to this, site visits had to be arranged for students to various locations, to simulate different rescue scenarios for the practical training element of their course, which came with high costs and was logistically impractical, Engineering News was informed at the launch.

Further to combining this training under one roof, the facility also aims to bolster the way rescue professionals are trained. It aims to equip them with the skills to respond to the increasingly complex demands of modern disasters and the increasing prevalence of climate change disasters being experienced in the country.

The centre has been designed to cater for teaching, learning, assessment and research of a multitude of specialised rescue disciplines.

UJ vice-chancellor Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi lauded the facility as a pioneer for the country and the continent, adding that it was but one of a few of its kind in the world.

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