A warm welcome has been extended by the Eastern Cape government led by Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, to the Minister for Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Emmanuel Blade Nzimande in the province, for the launch of innovation science facility recently.
The state-of-the-art science centre, equipped with advanced green technologies, is located at Intsika Yethu Local Municipality, under Chris Hani District Municipality in Cofimvaba. It is named after one of the country s outstanding and leading leader and the revolutionary movement, Mama Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and its partners, through identified strategic objectives, has collaborated with the Department of Basic Education as well as the Eastern Cape Department of Education, in the establishment of the Science Centre.
The facility will equip school-going learners and improve schools pass rate. This facility will also be an advantage to teachers and promote science awareness among the youth and broader community in the Chris Hani District Municipality.
This Science centre will be an educational facility that will house interactive exhibits and will use hands-on approach to enable people of Cofimvaba and the surrounding villages to experiment and engage with science. It is an expression of bring science to the people so we also enhance prospects for grassroots innovation” Minister said during his keynote address at the launch.
The centre will also afford the local communities opportunities to explore science and research in order to better their lives by developing new knowledge and innovation which can improve their livelihoods.” he added.
He also mentioned that, the development of the Science Centre is aligned with the government-championed District Development Model, as all three spheres of government have brought their resources together to establish the Centre. He further added that it s construction and associated civil works were jointly funded by Department of Science and Innovation and the Eastern Cape Department of Education to the tune of R47,5 million and R13 million respectively.
Teacher development programmes initiated by, and in close cooperation with the Queenstown Provincial Teacher Development Institute will also be hosted at the centre, as well as provide laborotary services to surrounding schools.
This centre will serve 26 high schools in the area, schools that previously relied on a mobile science unit donated by the DSI and Sasol” It is the first in South Africa to be purpose-designed, with green science, technology and innovation used in the actual building. It is the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - an entity of the DSI - that designed this centre. Its design demonstrates how extremely environmentally friendly buildings can be designed, constructed and utilised” Minister alluded. The Eastern Cape Department of Education has provided office furniture and equipment for running the maths, science and technology education support programme. The Department of Basic Education has provided 35 laptops for advancing the objectives of all programmes at the Centre. It is commendable that all parties have acted in a manner that promotes the spirit of cooperative governance as enshrined in our Constitution” he commended.
