Programme

Symposium Programme

21–23 October 2026 · Upington Protea Hotel Marriott, Northern Cape

ℹ Provisional schedule. The full preliminary programme — including confirmed speakers and session details — will be released on 11 September 2026, once accepted abstracts have been allocated. The structure below reflects the confirmed event format.
TimeSession / ActivityFormat
07:00Registration & Welcome Coffee AdminMain Foyer
09:00Official Opening & Welcome — SAIAE National Council PlenaryMain Venue
09:30Keynote Address — "Driving Agricultural Growth through Engineering Excellence" KeynoteMain Venue
10:30Morning Tea Break BreakExhibition Area
11:00Technical Session 1 — Precision Agriculture & 4th Industrial Revolution TechnicalMain Venue · Virtual
13:00Lunch BreakDining Area
14:00Technical Session 2 — Irrigation, Hydrology & Water Resource Management TechnicalMain Venue · Virtual
15:30Afternoon Tea Break BreakExhibition Area
16:00Technical Session 3 — Renewable Energy & Energy Management TechnicalMain Venue · Virtual
18:30Welcome Dinner & Networking SocialHotel Venue
TimeSession / ActivityFormat
08:00Morning Coffee & Networking BreakMain Foyer
08:30Keynote Address — Northern Cape: Food Security & Agri-Processing KeynoteMain Venue
09:30Technical Session 4 — Agricultural Mechanization & Structural Engineering TechnicalMain Venue · Virtual
10:30Morning Tea Break BreakExhibition Area
11:00Technical Session 5 — Food Engineering, Post-Harvest & Packaging TechnicalMain Venue · Virtual
13:00Lunch BreakDining Area
14:00Technical Session 6 — Climate Change, Soil Conservation & Circular Economy TechnicalMain Venue · Virtual
15:30Afternoon Tea Break BreakExhibition Area
16:00SAIAE Annual General Meeting (Members) AGMMain Venue
18:30Gala Dinner & Awards SocialHotel Venue
TimeSession / ActivityDetail
07:30Breakfast & Tour Briefing BreakHotel Venue
08:30Technical Tours Depart TourFrom Main Entrance
—⚡ Renewable Energy Plant (Solar CSP) TourOption A
—🍇 Raisins Sorting Facility TourOption B
—🍇 Export Table Grapes Packhouse TourOption C
13:00Lunch BreakTour Venue / Hotel
15:00Symposium Closes Close—

Technical tours run in parallel; delegates select one tour. Indicate your preference when registering. Further tour details will follow in upcoming communications.

* Times and sessions are provisional and subject to change. The confirmed preliminary programme will be published on 11 September 2026. Virtual attendance covers main-venue sessions on Days 1 and 2.

Be Part of the Programme

Submit an abstract by 14 August 2026 to present your work, or register now to secure your place in Upington.

Submit Abstract Register Now