UNISA College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET) Participants

On 14 September 2024, the managing director of NRF SAASTA, Dr Mamoeletsi Mosia, had the opportunity of attending and participating in the UNISA College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (CSET) Learner Research Summit (LRS). This event marked the culmination of weeks of hard work by learners and their mentors, collaborating on innovative projects that were showcased at the summit.

The program involved 10 township schools, each represented by at least three teams. These teams, comprising 4 to 8 learners, tackled thought-provoking challenges in fields such as Biotechnology, Automotive, Aviation and Aeronautics, Energy, Space, and the Square Kilometer Array. The learners were guided by mentors from UNISA, with some receiving additional mentorship from former LRS participants who returned to share their experiences. It was truly inspiring to see these former learners, now flourishing, give back to their schools and inspire the next generation with their stories of success. Dr Mosia also shared a bit of her personal and professional journey to encourage the learners.

managing director of NRF SAASTA, Dr Mamoeletsi Mosia

There is so much value in participating in extra-curricular activities. The LRS has equipped learners with invaluable skills that will serve them well in future. These range from problem solving, team work & interpersonal skills, critical thinking and analysis, communication and digital literacy. One can only learn some of these through hands-on experience! It is through doing that one identifies a problem, assess different possible solutions, decide on the best option, communicate findings, and answer difficult questions from peers. No amount of schooling can give one that experience. Here is to encouraging learners to participate in extra-curricular activities to build up invaluable skills outside of the classroom.