Iain Paton recently made history as the first person to graduate from the newly introduced Professional Masters Degree in Geotechnical Engineering (MGeotech) programme.  Iain’s degree was awarded with distinction and his dissertation entitled An investigation into the geotechnical nature of aeolian coversands in the Knysna area of the Southern Cape. 

His supervisor, Dr Denis Kalumba is the Head of the Geotechnical Engineering Group in the Department of Civil Engineering. Iain is the Managing Director of Outeniqua Geotechnical Services, based in Knysna, and has been working in the construction industry for over 15 years.  The new (MGeotech) programme is a coursework and project oriented master’s degree that is designed to aid the development of graduate civil engineers and technical professionals in related fields in their careers as Geotechnical Engineers by offering specialised knowledge and skills for the expertise required to provide solutions in the rapidly changing business, government and industry environments.