I have just been contacted by one of our previous presidents, who is still active in the education of people in the application of science in industry. He is involved with a worthy enterprise, and many will remember him. Since I feel you will be interested in his letter, I am including it below.
It was great to chat to you again, Vivian! I must congratulate you on the emphasis you have placed recently in your articles on the shortage of technical skills in the country. Our industry is particularly plagued by the inability to do the 'what if?' thing effectively!
As I said on the phone, since my retirement from the industry, I have been able to spend a lot more time on education and training and for nearly a year now, I have been working on the exhibits at the MTN Science Centre in Canal Walk, Cape Town.
The purpose of science centres is to provide a wonderful interface between academic knowledge and the 'real world'; "Promoting the understanding and uses of science and technology through interactive exhibits, displays and programmes", according to the SA Association of Science and Technology Centres (www.saastec.co.za).
Amongst SAASTEC's Aims and Objectives, those with which the SAIMC has interacted in the past include: "To establish contact with industry, to investigate and support mobile centres and transportable units and to stimulate ideas in the design of new exhibits."
There is an active science centre in many major centres in South Africa and most of them are members of SAASTEC. There are also science centres located in our neighbouring states. Please check the website for details.
SAIMC members and patrons would be welcome to contact their nearest centre and get involved with their education programmes. There is always an opportunity to show teachers how the science and technology they teach at school relates to the world of industry. After all, that is where most of their learners will be looking for employment opportunities!
SAIMC: From the office of the CEO SAIMC
SAIMC
We are writing to share exciting developments regarding the evolution of the SAIMC that will come into effect on 1 January 2025.
Read more...SAIMC: MESA Africa 2024 summit TransLution Software
SAIMC
The SAIMC Computer Engineering Council, also known as MESA Africa, recently held its annual summit. The two days were jam-packed, with an excellent balance between theory, thought leadership, and practical case studies. The general consensus among the delegates was that the insights gained were incredibly valuable.
Read more...SAIMC: Secunda branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Secunda branch recently celebrated 25 incredible years at its year-end function and birthday bash, held on 1 November at The Glasshouse in Secunda.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The Johannesburg SAIMC Branch held its annual year-end function at Northcliff Country Club on 13 October.
Read more...SAIMC: Gqeberha branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The Didactic Branch of the SAIMC, in collaboration with the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape, recently hosted an insightful talk on postgraduate opportunities. The event aimed to inspire and guide students about the paths and possibilities available to them through postgraduate studies, and to introduce them to some exciting projects.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban Branch Annual Dinner
SAIMC
The Durban branch of the SAIMC held their popular and well-supported annual year-end dinner at the Mount Edgecombe Country Club on 23 November 2024.
Read more...MESA Africa Summit has been expanded and rebranded SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
SAIMC
We are writing to share some exciting developments regarding the evolution of the MESA Africa Summit, which has been a cornerstone event in industrial automation and manufacturing excellence.
Read more...How to claim CPD points SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
SAIMC
SAIMC makes it possible for you to claim CPD points for attending courses and technical meetings, or completing an online quiz on a SA Instrumentation & Control magazine.
Read more...SAIMC: From the office of the CEO:Slaughtering AI holy cows SAIMC
SAIMC
A couple of sessions at various dealers, a wrong delivery, a failed holiday plan, a two-week unplanned vacation and 32 kg of steel on the back seat awaited us as we left South Africa on a dream holiday. But let me start at the beginning.
Read more...SAIMC: Secunda branch SAIMC
SAIMC
At the most recent SAIMC Secunda technical evening, Jenine Jansen van Vuuren, sales account manager from Comtest Technologies, gave a presentation on the calibration of process instruments.
printer friendly version