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19 July 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Charl Devenish
MEC for Education, Dr Tate Makgoe, presents an award to Khesa Maphakiso from Beacon High School at the ceremony.
MEC for Education, Dr Tate Makgoe, presents an award to Khesa Maphakiso from Beacon High School at the ceremony.

Projections indicate that by 2020 about 80% of all jobs will require some level of competency in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Also, given the rising unemployment rate and the subsequent demand for entrepreneurial skills in the past few years, STEM education has become a priority for South Africa.

A step in the right direction

Equipping young people to be efficient in the world of work and business is a major driver behind the country’s education system. The MEC for Education in the Free State reiterated the importance of STEM subjects. Dr Tate Makgoe addressed about 200 top-performing Grade 12 learners from quintile 1-3 schools in the province who were attending the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (SAICA) maths camp.

Making mathematics fashionable

The week-long camp recently closed with an awards ceremony which was held on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS). Nine of the creams of the crop of matric learners were honoured for their achievements in mathematics, physical science, and accounting.

Zinhle Gumbi, from Morena Mokopela Secondary School, one of the three Mathematics Top Achiever award recipients has become more determined to choose a maths-related profession. “I have told myself that any career I follow must include maths. Dr Tate Makgoe said we must prove to people that the black child can do it.”

Emerging as one of the Accounting Top Achievers was Albert Ramatsekane from Tsoseletso Secondary School who intends to pursue a Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification. “The camp has boosted my confidence. Now I can choose the CA stream without thinking twice.” 

Sowing the seed and reaping the fruits

Accounting lecturer Mojalefa Mosala was satisfied with the results of the camp. “I am happy to see many familiar faces in my classes who have attended previous camps. It means we’re doing something right.”

Mosala, a former assistant camp organiser, has confidence in the project as it “affords a rare opportunity to learners who have not been exposed to information, the higher learning environment, study skills and motivational figures to experience all of these”. 
Kovsies prides itself in partnering with industry stakeholders to build the future of the country, one maths camp at a time.



News Archive

Research development develops young researchers
2008-11-19

 
Researchers who attended the workshop are, from the left, front: Ms Florence Tladi, Department of Psychology, Ms Makoena Moloi, Department of Plant Sciences, Ms Tobeka Mehlomakhulu, Department of Geography, Ms Nomampondomise Molefe, Department of Chemistry, Dr Micheal van Wyk, Department of Curriculum Studies, Prof. Mabokang ‘Monnapula-Mapesela, CHESD; back: Dr Sebolai, Prof. Muriel Meiring, Department of Hematology and Cell Biology, Mr Mathabatha Maleka, Department of Genetics, Mr Coleman, Dr Gregory Alexander, Department of Psychology of Education, Ms Dorine Masiangoako, Department of Chemistry, and Ms Moipone Mokoena, Department of Chemistry.
Dr Olihile Sebolai, Directorate Research Development, recently organised a series of workshops which is aimed at imparting new skills and knowledge to young and emerging academics.

The directorate endeavored to capacitate the new generation of researchers at the university with skills enable them to be established within the competitive mainstream of research. This is in line with the research strategy of the university that seeks to cultivate a strong culture of research.

Amongst others the workshops focused on innovative ways of adding value to student supervision and improving research project management skills. These workshops were facilitated by Dr Pieter du Toit from the University of Pretoria and Mr William Coleman from the Central University of Technology. Follow up sessions are planned for 2009 to assess the impact of these workshops.

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