MIC lanches a ventilator design competition for SA students By IOL Reporter Share The University of Johannesburg has formed a multi partnership with the Mahlale Innovation Consortium to launch a ventilator design competition for South African students. The Mahlale Innovation Consortium (MIC), an alliance of five higher education institutions, was formed in response to a request from merSETA to promote local manufacturing of ventilators to contribute to the National Ventilator Project. This follows concerns about worldwide ventilator shortages, medical device development and sufficient maintenance skills, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, have led to multiple projects at major academic institutions that seek to find alternative means for emergency ventilation.