Career day exposes high school and undergrad interest in science and technology

7th September 2016

Career day exposes high school and undergrad interest in science and technology

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research held its Career day last month as part of the Department of Science and Technology’s national science week, which saw significant and growing interest in science careers. Schalk Burger has the story.

Schalk Burger:
Research organisation CSIR’s career day exposed the significant interest in science careers of school children and undergraduates, and highlighted the need to ensure adequate support, including internship and workplace experiential training, for students to pursue careers in scientific disciplines.

CSIR human capital development manager Joseph Tshikomba:


Schalk Burger:
CSIR Biosciences senior researcher and student supervisor Dr Jenny-Lee Panayides said that the interest of pupils and students at the CSIR career day reflected similar interest in science and science careers of primary school children at the national science week launch in Cape Town, in August.

High school pupils at the CSIR career day asked Panayides and her colleagues about the study requirements and career paths of the scientists and postgraduate students at the event, and indicated to her that they were interested in science careers.

Women were well represented among the pupils, students, scientists and interns at the event; helping to illustrate the science career paths open to them.

Meanwhile, Tshikomba emphasised the need to ensure adequate workplace opportunities for technical students to gain experiential training and encouraged businesses to provide internship and workplace opportunities for students who have passed their courses and who only required workplace experience. He noted that the CSIR has a strong internship and bursary programme, though it does have very high academic requirements that students must comply with before being eligible.


Sashnee Moodley:

Other news making headlines this week.

Bombardier opens new propulsion equipment production site in Isando

Rail technology provider Bombardier Transportation last month inaugurated a new 6 000 m2 production site and headquarters in Isando.
Bombardier regional president Per Almer:
 

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.