The Minister of
Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, will address engineering experts from
South Africa and abroad at the opening of Africa Engineering Week in
Johannesburg on 1 September.
The week, from 1 to4
September, is a collaboration between the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO), the
Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Engineering Council of South
Africa (ECSA). It takes place at the University of Johannesburg's Doornfontein
Campus.
The week's
programme includes a conference on sustainable engineering and a four-day
exhibition showcasing the nine different engineering disciplines offered at
various universities around the country.
Teachers should encourage their pupils to attend this exhibition, which
is open to the public at no charge.
The main
objective of Africa Engineering Week is to educate the youth and the general
public about the significance of engineering in their lives. The week-long event is themed "Engineering
is a life changer!" and will be filled with activities ranging from
educational workshops and public awareness events, to mentoring activities and
even women's events.
Engineering is one
of the most sought after skills in the world, and it is necessary to feed new
talent into the profession continually if South Africa is to meet its people's basic
needs and improve their quality of life. Engineers solve problems using mathematics
and science, and it is important that they continue to devise practical
solutions to the challenges faced by our country and continent.
"As the
Department of Science and Technology, we are at the forefront of using science to
solve the various challenges of our nation," said Minister Pandor,
speaking ahead of the opening of the event.
"We
understand the importance of the engineering profession, and we are confident that
we will increase the number of young people, especially women, who intend entering
the profession."
According to Ms
Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, the role of engineering needs to be
far more visible and better understood if more individuals are to choose it as a
career.
"Problems in
the developing world need to be highlighted, as do the dangers of not having
enough skilled engineers to fill the numerous positions. It is estimated that approximately 2,5
million new engineers and technicians will be needed in sub-Saharan Africa
alone if this region is to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of improved
access to clean water and sanitation."
Ms Bokova said
although many African countries were still experiencing economic crisis, the
challenge presented great opportunities for engineers on the continent.
"World leaders
now recognise the importance of funding engineering, science and
technology. They understand that
investments in infrastructure, technology for climate change mitigation and the
adaptation in areas such as renewable energy may provide a path to economic
recovery and sustainability," said Ms Bokova.
President of
ECSA, Mr Cyril Gamede, agrees that the profession needed more young blood to
bring new innovative thinking to dealing with the challenges of the future.
"We need the
youth to transcend our expectations and elevate the profession to new heights
by applying modern technologies and systems to the resolution of the challenges
our grandchildren will face one day. We intend to impact and influence the
profession with topical discussions that look at global best practice, and hope
to inspire the youth to pursue a rewarding career in engineering,"says
Gamede.
Media contacts
Mr Cassius
Mogoeng
Junior Account
Executive: GGi Communications (for ECSA)
Tel.: 011 728 1363
073
550 8887
Ms Veronica
Mohapeloa
Deputy Director:
Multilateral Cooperation (for the DST)
Tel.: 012 843 6788
082 882 3818
Ms Rovani Sigamoney
(for UNESCO)
Assistant
Programme Specialist
Tel.: 33 (0) 1 45 68 39 32
Email: r.sigamoney@unesco.org
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