Sol Plaatje University (SPU) put its best foot forward in partnering with the Department Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Northern Cape Department of Education to host the launch of the 2019 National Science Week at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley on Saturday, 27 July 2019.
Weekend Live on SABC carried live interviews and performances during its official programming and SPU academics, students and the phenomenal SPU choir shone in the bright light.
Over 2,000 learners from schools across the Northern Cape visited the more than 100 exhibits of some 80 organisations around the theme of “Facing the harsh realities of climate change”.
Exhibitors comprised science centres, higher education institutions, science councils, government agencies, and indigenous knowledge and ICT organisations.
Popular exhibits included those of Arcelor Mittal Science Centre, mLab Northern Cape, IKUSASA Technology Solutions, SPU School of Natural and Applied Science – Data Science, CSIR, SANBI and SKA.
During the formal launch event, learners, teachers, parents, and dignitaries heard from budding scientists, Nicole Paulsen and Kgopotso Loggenberg, winners of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientist 2018.
Dr Tendai Musvuugwa of SPU gave an informative talk on the effects of climate change that was so well received that the Minister Blade Nzimande will soon use the content in his speeches about the harsh realities of climate change.
Professor Yunus Ballim, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of SPU informed the audience that you need a fine mind and warm heart in order to produce good science which pursues the truth. He also told learners that as they plan to inherit the world they must cultivate their minds.
Minister Blade Nzimande in his keynote address told the hundreds of students seated in the auditorium that the government was committed to funding young people to study at SPU.
He also congratulated Professor Ballim on leading SPU to become a beacon of light in Africa.
One thought on “SPU shines at 2019 NSW launch”
I am so glad that Sol Plaatjie engages students from across Northern Cape, I think they must also do robust marketing and visit Free state for starters to make high schools be aware of what the can offer and also to hand out prospector to the school principals so that grade 12 learners can also have and decide when applying for tertiary. Sol Plaatjie can also advertise on radios and newspapers like Boston, Damelin etc. In future I also like to be part of this growing institution and make a better South Africa.
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