Date: 06/05/2004
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: M Mangena: Launch of National SET Week
ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AT THE LAUNCH OF NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK 2004, NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION, 6 May 2004
The Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology, Dr Adam Professor Kambule
Learners
Educators
Parents
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
This year our country is proud to celebrate ten years of democracy and one of the products of this new democracy is the newly created Department of Science and Technology. This is a clear indication that Science and Technology is going to remain important for the future economic growth and improvement of the quality of life of our people. It is also perfectly in line with the goals of our National Systems of Innovation, that aims to improve the quality of life, growth and wealth creation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, for our country to maintain continued growth in the next decade, we need higher levels of innovation and creativity. Hence, our country's ability to produce well-trained and effective scientists, engineers and technologists will be important in making us a successful nation. To do this effectively, we need to increase the impact of science by making science and technology accessible to all the people of this country.
The continued challenge of our national science system remains the frozen demographics in the science and technology workforce, both with respect to race and gender. The only way to overcome this challenge in a sustainable manner is to create the necessary feedstock for the system.
The White Paper on Science and Technology highlights the importance of the Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology (PUSET) as a powerful vehicle through which social and economic progress can be achieved.
It is for this reason that DST has been conducting the annual National Science Week since the year 2000. This event serves the important role of connecting the science community with the general public. It also provides an opportunity to highlight to the South African public the challenges facing the science and technology community.
Since its inception, the National Science Week has had as its primary focus, the promotion of public awareness and appreciation of science, engineering and technology. Over the four-year period, this event has undergone several modifications informed by the need to align it to other challenges facing our science system.
The National Science Week takes place within the context of a number of government's strategic documents, including the National Research and Development Strategy, as well as the Human Resource Development Strategy, which has alluded to the shortage of skills in the areas of science, engineering and technology.
The Human Resource Development Strategy's overarching goals are: the achievement of an improved social infrastructure; the reduction of the extent of inequality in South Africa; and the improvement of international perceptions and confidence about South Africa.
The recent deliberations of the January 2004 meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP) indicate that this shortage is a global challenge. The gender gap among science and technology graduates (notably at doctoral level), as well as the rapid ageing of the workforce in the public research sector, is areas of common concern.
The global nature of this challenge has already led to a number of international programmes in which several countries participate to seek effective solutions. These include "Engineering for a Better World", an initiative proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
While we recognise the importance of participating in global partnerships, local initiatives like the annual National Science Week should also be effectively utilised to address such challenges but particularly to address issues related to our unique situation.
It is only from a society that understands and appreciates the importance of science, that more learners will choose careers in science and related fields.
The South African youth is the nucleus of the plan to transform our country in general and the South African science, engineering and technology human capital. The need to increase the number of blacks and women science professionals remains urgent.
Parliament has passed a number of laws enabling society to redress imbalances of the past, including the Employment Equity Act. Competition for a superficial pool of science, engineering and technology professionals by different sectors of our economy will impact negatively on the ability to create a fully representative workforce in science, engineering and technology occupational categories.
Ladies and gentlemen, an improvement in the foundations for human development requires amongst others, improving results in Mathematics and Science. Our department together with the Departments of Labour and Education constitute the country's Human Resource Development Strategy cluster. This informs our decision to participate in consolidating, deepening and widening the implementation of the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (NSMSTE).
Our Department and the Department of Education have already identified the following areas of collaboration:
(1) accessing educators in educational institutions in order to upgrade their knowledge and skills in mathematical subjects, physical and life sciences, and the computer and engineering subjects in the current and the new curricula;
(2) accessing learners in educational institutions in order to enhance learner participation and performance in mathematics, science and technology education;
(3) placement and support of learners in higher education and key strategic economic sectors;
(4) research to support the consolidation, deepening and widening of the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education;
(5) using infrastructure of the two Departments to provide support to the implementation of the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, and
(6) curriculum support and Mathematics and Science supplementary tuition programmes.
As we celebrate our National Science Week in all provinces from 10 to 15 May, we also recognise our country's 10th anniversary of democracy. The theme of this year's event is "Exciting Our Youth with Science in a Democratic South Africa".
A variety of exciting activities including science, engineering and technology career information sessions have been organised for learners in all the nine provinces.
To the group of learners who are amongst us here today, I am told that it is on the basis of your performance in Maths and Science that you earned yourselves a chance to be part of this launch. Congratulations for your continued achievement of excellence in your studies. This is the only path to a brighter future for all of you. I am glad that arrangements have been made for you to visit selected areas of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). You will have an opportunity to interact with the scientists, and I am certain you will be inspired by what you will see.
Throughout your interaction with them, I urge you to engage them to your full benefit so that you can realize how important being a scientist is to your country. I am confident that your experience today and during the Science Week will inspire you to choose a career in science, engineering and technology.
It is therefore my great pleasure to launch the National Science Week 2004 today, to mark the beginning of provincial activities from 10 to 15 May 2004.
I wish you and all South Africans a fruitful National Science Week 2004, and urge you all to fully participate in the events in your respective provinces.
Thank you
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
6 May 2004
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: M Mangena: Launch of National SET Week
ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AT THE LAUNCH OF NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK 2004, NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION, 6 May 2004
The Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology, Dr Adam Professor Kambule
Learners
Educators
Parents
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
This year our country is proud to celebrate ten years of democracy and one of the products of this new democracy is the newly created Department of Science and Technology. This is a clear indication that Science and Technology is going to remain important for the future economic growth and improvement of the quality of life of our people. It is also perfectly in line with the goals of our National Systems of Innovation, that aims to improve the quality of life, growth and wealth creation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, for our country to maintain continued growth in the next decade, we need higher levels of innovation and creativity. Hence, our country's ability to produce well-trained and effective scientists, engineers and technologists will be important in making us a successful nation. To do this effectively, we need to increase the impact of science by making science and technology accessible to all the people of this country.
The continued challenge of our national science system remains the frozen demographics in the science and technology workforce, both with respect to race and gender. The only way to overcome this challenge in a sustainable manner is to create the necessary feedstock for the system.
The White Paper on Science and Technology highlights the importance of the Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology (PUSET) as a powerful vehicle through which social and economic progress can be achieved.
It is for this reason that DST has been conducting the annual National Science Week since the year 2000. This event serves the important role of connecting the science community with the general public. It also provides an opportunity to highlight to the South African public the challenges facing the science and technology community.
Since its inception, the National Science Week has had as its primary focus, the promotion of public awareness and appreciation of science, engineering and technology. Over the four-year period, this event has undergone several modifications informed by the need to align it to other challenges facing our science system.
The National Science Week takes place within the context of a number of government's strategic documents, including the National Research and Development Strategy, as well as the Human Resource Development Strategy, which has alluded to the shortage of skills in the areas of science, engineering and technology.
The Human Resource Development Strategy's overarching goals are: the achievement of an improved social infrastructure; the reduction of the extent of inequality in South Africa; and the improvement of international perceptions and confidence about South Africa.
The recent deliberations of the January 2004 meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP) indicate that this shortage is a global challenge. The gender gap among science and technology graduates (notably at doctoral level), as well as the rapid ageing of the workforce in the public research sector, is areas of common concern.
The global nature of this challenge has already led to a number of international programmes in which several countries participate to seek effective solutions. These include "Engineering for a Better World", an initiative proposed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
While we recognise the importance of participating in global partnerships, local initiatives like the annual National Science Week should also be effectively utilised to address such challenges but particularly to address issues related to our unique situation.
It is only from a society that understands and appreciates the importance of science, that more learners will choose careers in science and related fields.
The South African youth is the nucleus of the plan to transform our country in general and the South African science, engineering and technology human capital. The need to increase the number of blacks and women science professionals remains urgent.
Parliament has passed a number of laws enabling society to redress imbalances of the past, including the Employment Equity Act. Competition for a superficial pool of science, engineering and technology professionals by different sectors of our economy will impact negatively on the ability to create a fully representative workforce in science, engineering and technology occupational categories.
Ladies and gentlemen, an improvement in the foundations for human development requires amongst others, improving results in Mathematics and Science. Our department together with the Departments of Labour and Education constitute the country's Human Resource Development Strategy cluster. This informs our decision to participate in consolidating, deepening and widening the implementation of the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (NSMSTE).
Our Department and the Department of Education have already identified the following areas of collaboration:
(1) accessing educators in educational institutions in order to upgrade their knowledge and skills in mathematical subjects, physical and life sciences, and the computer and engineering subjects in the current and the new curricula;
(2) accessing learners in educational institutions in order to enhance learner participation and performance in mathematics, science and technology education;
(3) placement and support of learners in higher education and key strategic economic sectors;
(4) research to support the consolidation, deepening and widening of the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education;
(5) using infrastructure of the two Departments to provide support to the implementation of the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, and
(6) curriculum support and Mathematics and Science supplementary tuition programmes.
As we celebrate our National Science Week in all provinces from 10 to 15 May, we also recognise our country's 10th anniversary of democracy. The theme of this year's event is "Exciting Our Youth with Science in a Democratic South Africa".
A variety of exciting activities including science, engineering and technology career information sessions have been organised for learners in all the nine provinces.
To the group of learners who are amongst us here today, I am told that it is on the basis of your performance in Maths and Science that you earned yourselves a chance to be part of this launch. Congratulations for your continued achievement of excellence in your studies. This is the only path to a brighter future for all of you. I am glad that arrangements have been made for you to visit selected areas of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). You will have an opportunity to interact with the scientists, and I am certain you will be inspired by what you will see.
Throughout your interaction with them, I urge you to engage them to your full benefit so that you can realize how important being a scientist is to your country. I am confident that your experience today and during the Science Week will inspire you to choose a career in science, engineering and technology.
It is therefore my great pleasure to launch the National Science Week 2004 today, to mark the beginning of provincial activities from 10 to 15 May 2004.
I wish you and all South Africans a fruitful National Science Week 2004, and urge you all to fully participate in the events in your respective provinces.
Thank you
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
6 May 2004
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