From 14 to 18 August 2023, Unisa’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology, together with the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, participated at the 21st Sasol Techno X 2023, South Africa’s biggest science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career guidance exhibition. Exhibitors from various departments, institutes and science centres from both colleges showcased their STEM offerings and conducted interactive live demonstrations.
Sasol Techno X is not only an exhibition, but a celebration of innovation, creativity and the boundless possibilities within the science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and innovation (STEAMI) fields. For five days, exhibitors from various universities and organisations come together to ignite curiosity, spark imagination and empower the next generation of STEAMI enthusiasts.
"What is exciting at this year’s Sasol Techno X is that we are beginning to see the integration of arts with innovation, science, engineering and technology," said Buti Manamela, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, during the official opening ceremony of the event. "The interplay with the arts is super-important."
Encouraging Grade 12 learners in attendance, he said: "Of course you’ll pass, and you’ll pass with distinctions, but what I want to encourage you to do is to make sure that use this expo in deciding where you want to study next year."
During the exhibitor’s award ceremony on 17 August 2023, where a total of 12 awards were given out under various categories, the Unisa team of exhibitors was awarded the Collaboration Catalyst Award. This coveted distinction is awarded by Sasol Techno X to an exhibitor who actively seeks and fosters collaborations between different STEAMI disciplines, thus encouraging interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex challenges.
The team of Unisa exhibitors, together with marketing and communication representatives from both colleges, also made use of the exhibition to provide information to Grade 12 learners and others in attendance on the upcoming Unisa 2024 application intakes that open on 1 September 2023.
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* By Dr Nozipho N Gumbi, Acting Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Science, Engineering and Technology
Publish date: 2023/08/28