When Rikus Immink was still an engineering student in the 1980s at the University of Pretoria, it was a tumultuous time in the history of South Africa, and it was difficult for UP students to interact with universities such as UCT and Wits which were leading anti-apartheid actors in the engineering environment.

Immink graduated for his BEng Metallurgy in 1982, BEng (Hons) Extractive Metallurgy in 1987 and further received an MPhil (Workplace Ethics) Cum Laude in 2012.

“We had to interact with engineers in business to get good external experience. Getting qualifications at UP really prepared me for a quick transfer into business. It made a big difference from other graduates from other universities that followed classical sciences without up-to-date application to the business environment. Evolvement and development of processes happens in businesses all the time, and I am grateful to have studied at Tuks. At the time, most of us studied with mining company bursaries because money was tight,” he says.

His wife Erika holds a BDiet (1984) and postgraduate Dip in Hospital Dietetics (1985). His son Waldi graduated with BSc Construction Management (2010) and BCom Information Technology (2013). His other son Bernard obtained his BCom Law (2013) and LLB (2016). His daughter Anandi graduated with BScRad (2013) and BscRad (Hon) (2015).

Immink is CEO of Multotec’s South African operations, a metallurgy and process engineering organisation that helps mining houses across the world process minerals more efficiently, effectively and reliably. He also sits on the advisory board of UP’s Metallurgical Engineering Department and is a former Chairman of the TuksAlumni board of 2009-2010.

The Immink family admits that choosing to study at UP was a no-brainer for them, simply because of the institution’s international standing, location (they are Pretorians), excellent alumni organisation and excellent management.

“UP always strived for industry guided qualifications and kept a close link to private business executives right through the years our family studied there. It is important to maintain contact with alumni in a non-political manner.”

When asked about how life has been since graduation, he said, “All of us are still in our professions and being successful.”

Immink says he enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the former Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UP, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, who quickly pulled in executives from business to consult with. He says he hopes that COVID-19 does not distract the current Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Tawana Kupe, and he hopes to meet him someday.

Immink advises prospective students to get in touch with UP’s alumni community, because ‘the answer lies there’, and also to talk to UP advisors.