A Stellenbosch University (SU) student is set to represent the university at the national finals of a global science communication competition, in April 2021.
Thabani Mtsi, a civil engineering masters student, won the SU heat of the FameLab science communication and public speaking competition on 14 October, which qualified him for the national round. The FameLab is an initiative that promotes science and technology.
This was according to Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson and one of the judges of the SU heat.
FameLab is aimed to develop science communication skills and confidence in young researchers. It also aims to identify new voices and role models for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This is according to Joanne Riley, a project coordinator at the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA). PHOTO: Facebook/ FameLab International
“The virtual event included 24 SU masters and doctoral candidates from the faculties of AgriSciences, Science, Engineering and Medicine and Health Sciences,” Viljoen said.
According to Mtsi, he aims to edify and inspire other young people through this opportunity, to work towards bettering their sphere of influence. Mtsi will compete against the winners of heats at other universities in South Africa in April.
“[The competition] foregrounds and shines the light on already important information,” Mtsi said.
Thabani Mtsi observes the New York traffic-system on his visit to the United States, in August 2019. Mtsi did part of his study abroad to investigate the public and private transport systems in the hope of enhancing his research. PHOTO: Supplied/Thabani Mtsi
Mtsi’s research speaks to a real and challenging scenario in South Africa, said Viljoen. It is focused on the manner in which the minibus taxi industry user-experience can be improved.
According to Zimbili Sibiya, a doctoral student in Forest and Wood Science – who placed third in the SU heat – research has great value if society can understand its purpose and impact.
“[The competition] is a platform to inspire multidisciplinary thinking about research work,” Sibiya said.
Zimbili Sibiya, a doctoral student in Forest and Wood Science, believes it is important to share and showcase to communities the diversity of science, that it’s not just lab-based work but that it is diverse. “From working with humans, seagrass, minerals, transportation systems, and a lot more,” she said. According to her, FameLab’s platforms are necessary to showcase diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). PHOTO: Supplied/Zimbili Sibiya
FameLab is managed as a partnership between the British Council, South African Agency Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), and Jive Media Africa, according to Joanne Riley, a project coordinator at SAASTA.
“The competition aims to nurture science communication and public speaking skills,” Riley said.
According to prof Eugene Cloete, vice-rector of research, innovation and postgraduate studies, competitions like FameLab create awareness amongst young and upcoming researchers of the importance of being able to communicate their research clearly to different audiences.