Nanoteq

About Nanoteq

Nanoteq is a South African security technology company founded in 1988. It designs cryptographic algorithms, protocols and tamper-detection systems. Governments and defence clients use these tools to protect sensitive information and communications. The work is highly specialised, and very few local graduates are trained for it.

Reunert, the JSE-listed industrial group, bought full ownership of Nanoteq in 2016. On 1 October 2024 Nanoteq merged with another Reunert business, Etion Create. The combined business now trades as Etion Create, with Nanoteq staff kept on. Its address is in Irene, Pretoria, and it sits in Reunert's Applied Electronics segment. Etion Create serves the defence, aerospace, information security, mining and rail sectors.

How Nanoteq supports students

The Nanoteq bursary backs full-time undergraduate study at recognised South African universities. Two degrees qualify: BEng Computer Engineering and BEng Electronic Engineering. Awards go up to a maximum of R120,000 per student, per year. That figure is a ceiling, so the actual amount can be lower.

Nanoteq says its technical team enjoys mentoring young engineers and computer scientists. The bursary is therefore part of a long-term effort to develop scarce skills in this field rather than a general marketing project.

Careers in cryptography and secure communications are rare in South Africa. Most students never meet this field at school. Computer and electronic engineers who understand secure hardware and embedded systems are in demand, because defence and information security clients need them. A bursary in these degrees can therefore open doors that few graduates ever see.

What to know before applying

Recent calls asked for several conditions. Applicants had to be South African citizens from a previously disadvantaged community. You could be in Matric or already have your Matric certificate. You needed to be starting or continuing full-time undergraduate study, with strong academic results.

The application was made through an online form or by email to the bursary address. You supplied your ID number, contact details, Matric or Grade 11 results, your university and student number, and your chosen BEng course. Students already at university added their academic records. You also listed any other bursaries or financial aid. The most recent closing date seen fell in mid-November, and late applications were not considered.

Public information does not set out a work-back contract. Whether an employment obligation applies could not be confirmed, so do not assume either way. Since the company has now joined Etion Create, check the current Etion Create careers pages or ask the company whether the bursary is still running and what terms apply before you apply.