Students look to future careers in biotech

Johannesburg, 23 Jul 2003

South Africa`s biotechnology industry could soon have an influx of new blood, after the top achievers in the National Science Olympiad attended a biotechnology day at eGoli Bio in Modderfontein. The day formed part of a week of science events organised by the South African Agency for Science and Technology (SAASTA).

The aim of the biotechnology day, devised as part of a collaboration between eGoli BIO and the Public Understanding of Biotechnology (PUB) Programme, was to give the scholars a better understanding of the subject, with a view to possibly choosing it as a future career path.

"The learners received a non-prescriptive, professional, comprehensive, aesthetic, philosophical/ethical, research-focused and fun overview on biotechnology," says Pravin Maistry, deputy director of the Biotechnology Strategy Unit in the Department of Science and Technology.

"The learners were continuously encouraged to ask questions which were answered critically and honestly - biotechnology as a profession was certainly not glorified."

He says some of the questions asked showed that the learners were aware of the ethical responsibilities and issues in biotechnology.

"Very importantly, eGoli BIO emphasised the paradigm shift occurring in science where the focus is not just on research but on innovation and commercialisation of ideas. It is important that the students become aware of this at this stage as it will influence their thinking immensely," says Maistry.

"I was encouraged to see the students` enthusiasm for tasks that required their input - there was none of the passive listening of years gone by," says Muffy Koch of Golden Genomics.

Comments received from the students were very positive and indicated that their interest in the biotechnology industry is growing.

Christopher Jaquet of Carter High School in Pietermaritzburg says his overall perception of the day was that is was very informative.

"People knew what they were talking about and brought across the information well, and this has positively influenced my perception of biotechnology."

"I am now more informed so I can disregard the hype and rumours which make one have a negative perception of biotechnology," says Frances Solomon, also from Carter High School.

According to Kim Scruton, an Australian exchange student from Hawker College, everything was equally good and the diversity of the day was excellent.

"There was a broad range of activities which helped us to get a better picture of what people do in biotech. I learnt about the huge range of possibilities available in biotechnology, so I`d have to say that the day was a huge positive."

According to Dr Paul Abrahams, CEO of eGoli BIO, the aim of the day was to expose these top achievers to possibilities within the science field that were slightly different from the norm.

"We certainly received a huge amount of positive feedback on the day and I feel that a number of these youngsters were encouraged to consider careers in the biotechnology field."