Opportunities for girls through STEM
Opportunities for girls through STEM
Honourable Minister of the Department of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor
Nontobeko Zondi
Ms Kediemetse Mokotsi, Director: Marketing and PR; MMC: Mrs Makgomo Raikane; Honourable Minister of the Department of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor; VUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal: Professor Gordon Zide and the wife of the newly inaugurated Chancellor, Mrs Bongi Mkhwanazi
On 15 August, VUT hosted a special seminar in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at the Desmond Tutu Great Hall; introducing young girls to STEM and to give them a better idea of the opportunities available.
The purpose of this seminar was to invite exceptional women who have excelled in their careers in the STEM fields to interact and serve as role models for young girls in high school and women doing undergraduate studies at VUT. It is hoped that this exposure will encourage female learners to excel in STEM-related subjects and thus increase their chances of being accepted at tertiary institutions or follow a career in this direction.
This year’s seminar was graced by the presence of the Honourable Minister of the Department of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor, who delivered the keynote address. The newly inaugurated Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Gordon Zide welcomed all guests present to the event and encouraged the young women to take hold of opportunities that have been opened up to them.
The Honourable Minister congratulated VUT for organising the seminar. In her address she informed the young women that science, technology and innovation are vitally important for robust and sustainable socio-economic development.
The girls received goodie bags with personal care items donated by Thusong Projects, under the Vesco Group and Lab Coats. Congratulations to the organising team (Mesdames Kediemetse Mokotsi: Director Marketing & PR; Palesa Ubane: Public Relations Practitioner; Carol Motale and Nolutho Mkhumbeni both lecturers in Health Sciences) for the job well done, through the support of the Corporate Affairs team and other support departments.
Learners that attended the STEM seminar