Engendering A love of science and technology among today`s high school students is essential to the future of this country, says Dimension Data Holdings director, Dr David Molapo, a driving force behind the highly successful Science & Technology Day held at Gallagher Estate recently.
Dr Molapo, founder of the Get Ahead Foundation which organised the event with sponsorship from Dimension Data - one of SA`s largest Information Technology integration companies - says the event, the first of its kind in Gauteng, attracted nearly 3 000 Grade 11 and 12 maths and science students from 15 townships throughout the province.
"Dimension Data has instituted a unique three-pronged approach to `affirmative action` or Potential Development Processes, one of which involves a corporate social investment programme. Dimension Data`s sponsorship of the Science & Technology event was part of this programme, but it was also a manifestation of the group`s belief that its own internal affirmative action initiatives depend on encouraging youngsters with the right potential to enter the Information Technology market.
"Unfortunately, few township high school pupils - including those with maths and science as subjects - have first hand knowledge of what IT is. The Science & Technology Day provided an ideal opportunity to spread the IT message to youngsters and perhaps persuade some to opt for a career in information technology," Dr Molapo explains.
After talks by technology leaders in SA, including Vodacom MD Andrew Mntembu; Marius Furst, MD of Compaq SA; and Dr Errol Tyobeke, the organiser of the Department of Arts, Science and Technology`s "Science & Technology 98" initiative, students visited the exhibits.
Presented by organisations like Eskom, the SABC, Spoornet and Transnet as well as various universities and Technikons, they provided visiting pupils with practical examples of the impact technology has on all aspects of life.
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