Expo contributing towards skills development

26th October 2012

By: Yolandi Booyens

  

Font size: - +

The Department of Education supported petrochemicals giant Sasol’s various initiatives to advance mathematics, science and technology in South Africa, Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe said at the Sasol Techno X 2012 exhibition, in August.

“Sasol Techno X, the most acclaimed career guidance exhibition, which attracts schools and institutions from all walks of life, is one of these initiatives,” he added.

Now in its twelfth year, the event has developed into one of the premier exhibitions in South Africa and offers learners the opportunity to engage with universities and other industry stakeholders on course studies and bursary options.

The theme for the 2012 exhibition was centred on environmental awareness, Free State Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Mamiki Qabathe noted at the opening.

“Sasol’s sponsorship of Techno X proves its commitment to investing in the future of South Africa’s children through education.

“It also proves Sasol’s commitment to the creation of sustainable partnerships that lead to community development [in its operational areas]. This also proves Sasol’s commitment to supporting the development of our society at all levels,” Qabathe stated.


“Innovation, technology and science are major components in the world’s economy as a whole and by providing learners with an avenue of opportunity, we are able to expand the skills base of South Africa in these dynamic fields,” Makgoe noted.


He emphasised that it is imperative for South Africa to increase the engineering and technical skills it produces each year.

“The engineering profession has, historically, contributed significantly to the development of South Africa and continues to contribute to the building of infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals, townships, dams and airports.”

However, Makgoe warned that South Africa was lagging behind in the number of competent engineers it produces, compared with its fellow Brics – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – and other developing countries.

“In South Africa, there is one engineer for [every] 3 166 citizens, whereas Brazil has one [engineer] for every 227 citizens and Malaysia one engineer for every 543 citizens.”

Makgoe noted that the inconsistent production of engineers in South Africa showed that the country is severely underengineered and needs to increase the number of its engineering and technical skills, as a matter of urgency.

He pointed out, however, that this could not be achieved without an improvement in the mathematical and science participation and pass rates at the primary and high school levels.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

The content you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION