The Graduate School of Technology Management at the University of Pretoria turns engineers into strategic business leaders

Industrial engineer Eckhardt Horstmann is one of the Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM)’s top achievers in its Master in Engineering Management (MEM) programme. He completed the two-year programme in the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology at the end of 2024, and believes it has enabled him to develop into a strategic business leader who can build on his engineering foundation to enhance his company’s productivity through effective planning and critical thinking.

As he had obtained his Bachelor of Engineering degree at the University of Pretoria, he already knew the value of a qualification from this institution. The decision to embark on postgraduate studies that would further his career in the fast-moving consumer goods industry was therefore not a question of where to study, but rather what to study. He was faced with three options: continuing with a postgraduate qualification in industrial engineering, embarking on an MBA or enrolling for the GSTM’s MEM programme. After consulting with his company’s human resources director, he realised that the MEM would provide him with the best preparation to take on a leadership role in the company.

He was fortunate to have been appointed as an industrial engineering graduate in the company in 2016 immediately after completing his undergraduate studies. He has progressed rapidly through the ranks and currently holds the position of Industrial Engineering Manager. He believes that his work experience prior to embarking on the MEM programme provided him with a valuable advantage, as it enabled him to understand the practical application of the theoretical concepts, and take them much further.

Since the company has excellent growth potential, he considered it important to invest in his future with the company by broadening his skills as an industrial engineer. This qualification would also enable him to achieve his personal objectives of unlocking the true potential of any task, project or production line, and empowering the company to achieve continuous improvement and a lean mindset, which could support the triple bottom line.

The research project for which he was awarded the runner-up prize at the annual prize-giving ceremony attempted to bridge the gap between the use of highly automated foreign equipment and the skills of the individual in the company who needs to use this equipment to achieve complex business objectives. The focus was on effective communication, goal setting and technology deployment. His research benefitted from his access to real-time, accurate data due to his involvement in another project in his company at the time.

Reflecting on the programme, he describes it as being both a challenging and an enriching experience. “It offered a well-balanced combination of academic theory and real-world application, with a flexible structure that made it possible to pursue it part-time alongside full-time employment.” He appreciated the well-designed blend of core management modules and engaging electives, which broadened his perspective.

Although it had its challenges, such as the commitment and personal sacrifice the programme demanded from him, he found that the clearly defined outcomes enabled effective planning. “It is a transformative programme that helps engineers grow into strategic business leaders who are able to embrace the complexities of modern engineering leadership.” He would therefore recommend the programme to anyone wishing to advance their career in engineering management.