30 Nov A review & celebration of the year at BHA School of Lighting – December 2023 Newsletter
It is December 2023, the end of an exciting and busy year for BHA School of Lighting and BHA Lighting Design & Consulting.
One of our proudest highlights are without doubt the agreement concluded with Marketing Home Group in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which led to us developing an exclusive course for them called the Foundation Plus Lighting Course. The cherry on the cake was without doubt the successful rollout of the course to the first group of 47 students. The warm and friendly relationship that we have developed with the senior management and training manager is exceptional and we look forward to mentoring the Marketing Home Group staff members.
BHA School of Lighting has also witnessed excellent growth and has become known as a leading educational institution in the world, specifically as an education provider in the lighting and build environment industries. Our financial and educational calendar years still have 3 months to run, and we have already topped 100 student enrolments with 33 enrolments in November alone. If I say it myself, it is a stunning achievement.
BHA Lighting Design & Consulting has also had another excellent year so far and we expect our fees to end the year 25% up on the previous financial year.
This year has also been a great year for BHA School of Lighting’s Enlightened Community Webinars. We have had the privilege of tapping into the great minds of lighting industry experts who have presented specialised webinar topics to our students and international audience during 2023 and pay tribute to them as follows:
- Don’t/Do This: Revolutionizing Residential Lighting by special guest speaker David Warfel, Madison, Wisconsin, USA – Founding Designer, Light Can Help You
- Legal and Policy Trends Towards Light Pollution Mitigation by special guest speaker Yana Yakushina, Ghent, Belgium – Lawyer, Researcher, & Dark Sky Protection Educator, University of Ghent
- 3D Digitization of buildings for lighting design using your smartphone by special guest speaker Martin Huber, Salzburg, Austria – Co-Founder & CEO, Metaroom App by Amrax
- The Lighting of Heritage Buildings and How to Make Great Use of Shadows by special guest speaker David Gilbey, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Lighting Design Director, Diriyah Gate Development Authority
- Lighting Intuition for Architects by special guest speaker, Angie Ohman, New York (NY), USA – Project Manager, Renfro Design Group
- Introducing the The Lighting Police by special guest speaker, Katia Kolovea, founder of The Lighting Police
- International Day of Light: Celebration of Light by globally renowned Panos Ioannidis, founder of Lighting Design Magazine
To those of you who have attended our webinars, you know we use a platform called ClickMeeting, which is rated as the best webinar platform by Forbes. It is fantastic software and so feature rich with excellent post-event reporting and features. We have decided that for now we will continue to use the software for the Enlightened Community Webinars moving into 2024 and we can already state that we have some amazing speakers lined up for the year ahead, you can view the webinar schedule at www.bhaschooloflighting.co.za/webinars.
The team members at BHA Lighting Companies have also become Microsoft Teams users and moving into 2024 will be using Teams to host our Student Support Sessions, which is more user friendly and will enable our students to have a richer and more interactive learning session with an educator and fellow students. We have an E3 Microsoft license which is Enterprise level but this will allow all students to join the sessions from their PC, laptop or mobile device using a free Microsoft Teams license to attend.
Daniel and I are receiving personal coaching on the use of Teams from Productivity Active, a business owned by Richard de Villiers. We have used teams for meetings on many occasions, some when we initiated the meeting and many more when the meetings were initiated by other companies or organisations. We have now discovered with the expertise of Richard, that Teams can offer you so much more and we we recommend you contact Richard here if you want to learn more.
I would like to personally wish all of the students who will be writing their final examinations before graduating soon before 2023 ends, the very best during their preparations. I never wish them good luck because great preparation will always lead to success. Good luck does not play a role.
Finally, we would again like to congratulate everyone who has successfully completed a short course with BHA School of Lighting this year, and of course to our students who have successfully completed our premier e-learning lighting design course, the Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering course and are now recognised as qualified illumination engineers. We wish you all the best success as you apply the knowledge you have learned during the various courses.
To all who celebrate Christmas, we wish you a happy and blessed Christmas. To those celebrating hanukkah, happy hanukkah. And to all our readers and students, happy holidays and we wish you and your families an amazing and successful 2024.
With best regards
Philip Hammond
BHA School of Lighting invites you to partake in the fundraiser and call for donations for upgrades to the Cederberg Observatory. We firmly believe that as lighting engineers at BHA Lighting Design & Consulting and as educators at BHA School of Lighting, we need to design lighting systems which take into consideration our impact on the nighttime environment and the cosmos and do our best to limit light pollution so that future generations will be able to observe the heavens.
At present the fundraiser has raised 33% of the funds and stands at R33,010 raised of R100,000 goal.
DONATE TO THE CEDERBERG OBSERVATORY HERE
Since the late 1980s, the Cederberg Observatory has opened its doors to the public every Saturday night for an evening of stargazing and talks given by enthusiastic amateur and professional astronomers.
They firmly believe that astronomy has the power to inspire curiosity, spark imagination, and foster a deeper connection to the cosmos. Our aim is to share our knowledge and passion for astronomy with people of all ages and backgrounds, leaving a lasting impact on individuals by fueling their curiosity, expanding their horizons, and nurturing a sense of stewardship for our planet and the wider universe.
With the number of visitors to the observatory now having exceeded 100,000, we wish to take the Cederberg Astronomical Observatory to the next level and provide an even better experience for our visitors.
In order to achieve this we need to upgrade the facilities, buy new equipment, build enclosures for the telescopes we use on open nights and critically get off the grid.
We would be extremely grateful if you could donate to Cederberg Observatory and help us become a leading Astrotourism and Astronomy outreach hub in Southern Africa.
In order to provide an incentive, those who donate R300 (about $17) or more will qualify for a prize draw, which will take place once we have raised R100,000. The winner will be able to choose one of two prizes
- The 2” Optolong L-Ultimate astrophotography filter (valued at $490) – see https://www.optolong.com/cms/document/detail/id/192.html
- A two night astrophotography experience in the Cederberg including accommodation.
ALSO – ANY DONATION ABOVE R1000 ($54) WILL BE GIVEN THE OPTION OF HAVING THEIR NAME DISPLAYED ON THE “FRIENDS OF THE OBSERVATORY WALL”.
Upcoming Events from BHA School of Lighting
Cost: Free of Charge
Date: 18 January 2024
Time: 5:45pm for 6pm – 7pm SAST (GMT+2)
Presenter: Phil Hammond, Lighting Engineer at BHA Lighting Design & Consulting & Educator at BHA School of Lighting
About this Webinar: This Enlightened Community event will take a deep dive into a real live case of obtrusive light and light pollution. The gory detail about tackling a case of obtrusive light will be discussed in detail, including the procedures that need to be followed to restore harmony in theses cases, with a focus on possible solutions to combat obtrusive light and minimize light pollution in the nighttime environment.
To set the scene for this webinar we will take a look at the full glory of the night sky. Ask how does the night sky differ in variable conditions? Discuss how we observe light when out and about and talk about standards, regulations and guidelines.
After setting the scene for the real obtrusive light case, we will be looking at Google Earth, then identify the source of the problem on site and analyze & report the extent of the problems to mitigate for obtrusive light and light pollution. Finally we will discuss lighting design solutions and techniques to combat or eliminate the problem of obtrusive light.
Special Congratulations to the following students who have successfully graduated from the Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering Course
Our biggest congratulations to Martina Mántaras and Scott Williamson from Montevideo, Uruguay and Doha, Qatar respectively, who have both recently graduated from BHA School of Lighting‘s Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering course and are now a fully qualified lighting engineers.
We are incredibly proud of your achievements and it has been our honour to watch you both grow from strength to strength as you have progressed through the course.
We wish you the best success and have no doubt your lighting design knowledge and skills will greatly benefit every project that you are involved in.
If you would also like to become a lighting engineer, you can find more info about the Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering e-learning course here.
Congratulations to those who have completed short e-learning courses
Lawrence Pillay, Regent Lighting Solutions, Durban, South Africa – Completed the Foundation Lighting Course
Sihle Michael Ngema, Regent Lighting Solutions, Durban, South Africa – Completed the Foundation Lighting Course
Innocent Segoai, Regent Lighting Solutions, Johannesburg, South Africa – Completed the Foundation Lighting Course
Tassney Jacobs, Regent Lighting Solutions, Johannesburg, South Africa – Completed the Foundation Lighting Course
Nasieba Adams, Regent Lighting Solutions, Johannesburg, South Africa – Completed the Foundation Lighting Course
December Student Birthdays
Happy Birthday to the following past & present students celebrating their birthdays this month of December! We hope you all have a memorable day!
George (Freddie) Piek, Johannesburg, RSA – 2 December
Acir Daniel Urban Guimaraes, Curitiba, Brazil – 4 December
Shady Abdelsalam, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 5 December
Justine Williams, Paarl, RSA – 9 December
Lawrence Pillay, Durban, RSA – 16 December
Priyanka Praful, Bangalore, India – 19 December
Mankiran Virk, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada – 28 December
Welcome to all our new BHA School of Lighting Students
We hope you enjoy the learning experience with us and we wish you great success!
Mohammed Alshari, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Ahmed Elazizy, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Modar Mohammed Al-Refai, New Emmara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Riad Alhomsy, Jeddah, Saud Lighting Stores, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Raed Almutiri, Dammam-Alfaisalyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Ali Almunasef, Al Khober, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Badr Alhusini, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Hassam Alhusini, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Khalid Almalki, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Osama Samak, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Abdul Aziz Al Mirza, Al-Mubarraz, Dhahran,-Sharqiya, Al-AhsaAnass Elakisali, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Rida Mohammed Al Khalaf, Khaleejrd Road, Damma, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Mohamed Bashar, Dubai, United Aran Emirates – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Ali Aloulou, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Mohammad Zaher Dabah Al Bakar, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Mohammad Eisa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Hussien Anis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Sayed Elhool, Takhasosy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Majid Alkuli, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Taha Hussien, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL101: Foundation Plus Lighting Course
Jade Melville, Eurolux, Durban – BHASL003C19: Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering Course
Lilith Tuswa, Lascon Project Lighting, Johannesburg – BHASL003C19: Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering Course
Greg Owen, Arc Lighting, Cape Town, RSA – BHASL001C20: Foundation Lighting Course
Abner Naidoo, DNA Engineers, Durban, RSA – BHASL003C19: Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering Course
Dayalen Naidoo, DNA Engineers, Durban, RSA – BHASL003C19: Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering Course
Acir Daiel Urban Guimaraes, Curitiba, Brazil – BHASL003C19: Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering Course
Shady Abdelsalam, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – BHASL003C19: Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering Course
Ismael Alobaidi, Baghdad, Iraq – BHASL003C19: Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering Course
Neha Bora, Synaoda Electrical, Greater Noida West, Uttar Pradesh, India – BHASL001C20: Foundation Lighting Course
Jiangxia Jeny Yan, Shenzhen, China – BHASL001C20: Foundation Lighting Course
Jesus Telle, Mexico City, Mexico – BHASL003C19: Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering Course
Sarah-Ellen Hanratty, Varoom Interiors, Johannesburg, RSA – BHASL001C20: Foundation Lighting Course
Herbert Kamau Ndongo, North Atlantic Consulting Engineers, Botswana – BHASL001C20: Foundation Lighting Course
We wish great success to the following BHA School of Lighting students preparing for Examinations
Jaroslaw Otremba, Jozefaw, Poland – First Year Theory 1
Nicole Farman, Chicago, USA – Second Year Final Theory
Enzo Manna, Pretoria, RSA – Second Year Final Practical
Katherine Stead, KZN Midlands, RSA – Second Year Final Theory
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Join a Professional Lighting Institution or Community
We encourage all of our Advanced Diploma in Illumination Engineering students to apply for student membership for little or no fees at local and international professional lighting institutions and lighting network communities. By becoming a member you will gain access to further study material, courses, workshops, webinars & stipends.
BHA School of Lighting is proud to be affiliated with the the International Association of Lighting Designers, the Institute of Lighting Professionals, the Virtual Lighting Design Community, The Lighting Police, Women in Lighting and the Illumination Engineering Society of South Africa.
Find more info about each organisation and community, as well as membership info here.
Our mailing address is:
BHA School of Lighting
5 Chestnut Ridge Circle, Chestnut Ridge
Royal Ascot
Cape Town, Western Cape
South Africa
7441