I have just been contacted by one of our previous presidents, who is still active in the education of people in the application of science in industry. He is involved with a worthy enterprise, and many will remember him. Since I feel you will be interested in his letter, I am including it below.
It was great to chat to you again, Vivian! I must congratulate you on the emphasis you have placed recently in your articles on the shortage of technical skills in the country. Our industry is particularly plagued by the inability to do the 'what if?' thing effectively!
As I said on the phone, since my retirement from the industry, I have been able to spend a lot more time on education and training and for nearly a year now, I have been working on the exhibits at the MTN Science Centre in Canal Walk, Cape Town.
The purpose of science centres is to provide a wonderful interface between academic knowledge and the 'real world'; "Promoting the understanding and uses of science and technology through interactive exhibits, displays and programmes", according to the SA Association of Science and Technology Centres (www.saastec.co.za).
Amongst SAASTEC's Aims and Objectives, those with which the SAIMC has interacted in the past include: "To establish contact with industry, to investigate and support mobile centres and transportable units and to stimulate ideas in the design of new exhibits."
There is an active science centre in many major centres in South Africa and most of them are members of SAASTEC. There are also science centres located in our neighbouring states. Please check the website for details.
SAIMC members and patrons would be welcome to contact their nearest centre and get involved with their education programmes. There is always an opportunity to show teachers how the science and technology they teach at school relates to the world of industry. After all, that is where most of their learners will be looking for employment opportunities!
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