History of CEFIM

CEFIM is the oldest institute at the University of Pretoria and was established in 1973 as the  Institute for Microstructures

The Carl and Emily Fuchs Institute for Microelectronics  was named after two eminent pioneers in the field of electronics in South Africa, Carl and Emily Fuchs. CEFIM was officially founded on 22 August 1981 in terms of a university regulation through a donation from the Carl and Emily Fuchs Foundation. Since January 1982 students have been actively trained, thanks to the generosity of the Fuchs Foundation.

On 24 August 1984, the South African Minister of Trade, Tourism and Industry at the time, Dr Dawie de Villiers, officially openened the building now housing CEFIM on the Hatfield campus of the University of Pretoria.  At the same occasion, Mrs Emily Fuchs unveiled the CEFIM building, as well as busts of the Fuchs couple in the foyer of the building.

At the helm of the institution were exceedingly competent individuals:

Prof Louis van Biljon (1981-1986)

Prof Pieter Rademeyer (1987-1989)

Mr Willie Malan (1990)

Prof Monuko du Plessis (1991-2012)

Prof Saurabh Sinha (2013-2014)

Prof Monuko du Plessis (Acting) (2015-2018)

Dr Trudi-Heleen Joubert (Acting) (2018 - Present)