Olympiad winners go to the Incubator

Johannesburg, 04 Jul 2003

The top achievers in the National Science Olympiad, who are spending a week focusing on a variety of science events, will have a chance to get a better understanding of biotechnology, thanks to a collaboration between eGoli BIO and the Public Understanding of Biotechnology (PUB) Programme.

The initiative will see the two organisations host a Biotechnology Day for the learners on 9 July at the eGoli BIO Life Sciences Incubator, as part of a week of science events organised by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA).

"This joint initiative, hosted at the eGoli BIO and CSIR Bio/Chemtek facilities, aims to bring science and business basics together on the same platform, and will hopefully encourage learners to take up careers in biotechnology," says Dr Paul Abrahams, CEO of eGoli BIO.

eGoli BIO is a Life Sciences Incubator, serving as a development conduit for the commercialisation of life sciences research leading to new products, services and technology platforms.

"The incubator creates an environment of learning and sharing in which information, experience and ideas are freely exchanged," says Abrahams.

He says that the Grade 11 and 12 learners will enjoy a full day programme that will include tours of the biocatalysis, fermentation and genetic laboratories as well as the pilot plant facilities.

"This collaborative day is an opportunity to focus on biotechnology as a whole - and to highlight how it has been a part of our everyday life for centuries as well as highlighting potential future applications and the related ethical and social issues," says Helen Malherbe, PUB Programme co-ordinator.

The top 200 achievers in the Science Olympiad were invited to attend Science Week, which shows a number of different careers in the scientific field, rather than just the standard fields of medicine and engineering.

"The purpose of the Biotechnology Day is to further encourage and educate these top achievers to take up careers in biotechnology," says Abrahams.

"The overall aim of the PUB programme is to promote a clear understanding of the potential of biotechnology and to ensure broad public awareness, dialogue and debate on its current and potential future applications."