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Special feature: SET Week 2002

As part of the policy of national government (as being channeled through the Dept. of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology [DACST]) to promote the general public's understanding of science, engineering and technology (PUSET), a provincial awareness week is to be held in the Free State 6 - 11 May 2002, culminating in an Expo during this time at the campus of the Free State University. The basic purpose of the SET campaign and the Expo is to enhance choices of study, career and entrepreneurship in the fields of science, engineering and technology, thereby fast-tracking economic growth, capacity and development in South Africa.
The primary target for the SET Week in the Free State 6-11 May 2002 is learners, educators and the general public. Tertiary institutions, science, engineering and technology organizations are being invited to participate in the six day Expo. Approximately 50 exhibitors are to set up exhibition stands in the Callie Human Centre at the Free State University, thus allowing visitors to peruse hands-on exhibitions, science shows, competitions, etc. Learners, educators and the general public will in this way be able to interact with the exhibitors and obtain relevant information regarding science and technology. Amongst other all schools in the Free State are being invited to attend the Expo. A career counseling section will be installed to assist learners, while the Expo will also include 2 hour daily seminars / workshops on issues pertaining to science, engineering and technology.
Companies are being invited to present some of the seminars. Furthermore, in order to promote active participation, competitions for learners will be held where they can demonstrate their knowledge and creativity through science, engineering and technology.

Die digitale kloof nader beskou

In sy boek The Rise of the Network toon Manuel Castells aan dat ontwikkelde lande, met sowat 15% van die wêreldbevolking, sowat 88% van Internetverbruikers verteenwoordig. Hoewel Suid-Afrika in sekere opsigte 'n uitsondering is, is Afrika nog nie 'n gewilde bestemming vir die inligtingsnelweg nie. Hoewel Internetgebruik in Afrika steeds groei - al is dit meestal in elite-instellings, groot stede of welgestelde en opgevoede dele van die samelewing - is dié vasteland agter vergeleke met die res van die wêreld. Die getal Internet-intekenare in Afrika word in 'n onlangse verslag van Mike Jensen The African Internet A Status Report, geskat op ongeveer 1 miljoen. Omdat elkeen van dié verbindings deur tussen 3 en 5 mense gebruik word, word geraam dat Afrika altesaam sowat 4 miljoen Internet-gebruikers het aansienlik minder as die 102 miljoen gebruikers in Amerika en Kanada, die meer as 40 miljoen in Europa, 27 miljoen in Asië en die Asiese Stille Oseaan-gebied en 23,3 miljoen in Latyns-Amerika. Van die geskatte 4 miljoen Internet-gebruikers in Afrika, is slegs sowat 1,5 miljoen buite Suid-Afrika.
Selfs in hoogsontwikkelde lande soos die VSA, is Internet-verbindings ongelyk versprei na gelang van maatskaplike, rasse-, geslags-, ouderdom- en ruimtelike faktore. Dit laat sommige tot die oortuiging kom dat inligtingstegnologie eerder die kloof tussen ryk en arm verbreed weens die voorsprong wat dit aan diegene bied wat wel toegang het tot die Internet. In Suid-Afrika word die probleem reeds deur bepaalde inisiatiewe deur die regering, nie-regeringsorganisasies en die private sektor aangespreek. So bv. is reeds sowat 73 gemeenskapsgebaseerde telesentrums opgerig waar toegang tot telefone, faksmasjiene, e-pos en die Internet moontlik is. 'n Inisiatief soos BRAIN van die Dept. van Handel en Nywerheid in Pretoria (te vind by www.brain.org.za) doen bv. groot werk om Suid-Afrikaners konstruktief by die voordele van die Internet in te skakel, veral KMMO's en voornemende entrepreneurs.
Hoe dit ookal sy, effektiewe oorbrugging van die digitale kloof is vir 'n suskesvolle Suid-Afrika onontbeerlik.

DACST /Technikon Technology Station offers help to SMME's

The DACST/Technikon Free State Technology Station has recently launched a technology transfer audit of small, medium and micro size enterprises (SMME's) throughout the Free State province. The Technology Station's Programme is an initiative of the South African/German bilateral agreement, jointly managed by the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology and the German Agency for Technical Co-operation (DACST-GTZ ). The main goal of the programme is to improve the competitiveness and innovation capacity of small, medium and micro enterprises, whilst simultaneously building capacity at the Technikon both in terms of research and development, thus enhancing the transfer of such expertise to industry. The key challenge of the project is to effectively contribute to technology transfer from the Technikon to the SMME sector.
Mr. Andrew Hugo is to carry out these audits over the next six months and give relevant feedback to the Technology Station and Science Park and thereafter initiate follow-up action as required. It is envisaged that the audit will assist SMME's in identifying possible product and process development opportunities, which in turn will enable both the Science Park and Technology Station to increase its collaboration and assistance to the SMME sector. In addition the audit will cover aspects such as quality (ISO 9000), access to technical know-how, the environment (ISO 14001), value added activities, capacity planning, preventive maintenance, training and other operational activities. Through this audit, the Technology Station and the Science Park with its access to intellectual capital and well-established manufacturing know-how, hopes to strengthen its role in linking research and education needs to the economic development and promotion of the SMME sector.
Mr. Farouk Varachia, Technology Advisor of the Technology Station expects that this audit will identify SMME's for technology intervention and assistance, resulting in the possible improvement of their products and processes. Dr. Deon de Beer, the Chief Director: Technology Management of the Technikon Free State, trusts that the audit will provide needed information to be fed back into strategic planning of a regional Science Park, with customised programmes and projects designed to the region's industry needs. Interested SMME's wishing to participate in this initiative, are welcome to contact Andrew Hugo or Jenny van Rensburg on (051) 507 3578 or 083 575 3345 for further details. Faxes containing relevant information can be sent to (051) 448 9379, indicating an intention to participate.