Mafikeng Campus hosts launch of National Science Week

The North-West University Mafikeng Campus hosted the launch of the National Science Week fair on 1 August 2015. The National Science week is a countrywide celebration of science, initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and the North-West Department of Education, and various other stakeholders.

The National Science Week initiative of DST aims to contribute to the development of a society that values and appreciates science, engineering and technological fields, to provide a platform for scientists to instil interest in learners to follow careers in the scientific community.

The National Science Week programme will run from 1 to 8 August 2015, and some of the activities for learners will include career exhibitions from over 82 exhibitors from across the country, representing various stakeholders in the scientific community, public lectures, seminars and fun presentations on the latest innovations made through scientific research.

NWU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dan Kgwadi, said: "As a university, it is quite an honour to host such a prestigious event in the science community. We continue as an institution to make significant contributions and advancements in the field of science through our various projects like the Science Centre, and a food production project."

Attending the launch were approximately 4 000 learners in and around the town of Mafikeng, university students, government officials, university management as well the Minister of Science and Technology and the department's ministry officials.

"The National Science Week is a very important celebration of excellence in the science, technology and allied fields. We hope to demonstrate and celebrate the many scientific contributions made by scientists from our country and showcase their talent to the world," Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, said.