Collaboration sees the birth of the STEM Academy at CUT

1 Jun 2018

The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) launched the STEM Academy in collaboration with the Free State Department of Education (FSDoE), University of the Free State (UFS) and TVET colleges in the province on 30 May 2018.

From L-R: Prof. Henk de Jager, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Free State Premier, Honourable Sisi Ntombela, MEC for Education, Mr Tate Makgoe and Palesa Loapo, a grade 11 learner from Commtech Comprehensive School unveiling the plaque.

Since 2013, a series of engagements took place between CUT, TVET Colleges and the department with a particular focus on development of sustainable collaborative initiatives that are directed towards the overall growth and development of the province in the field of academic excellence.

The academy is envisaged to be a training and developmental hub for professional teachers and lecturers to improve content knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in schools, colleges and universities. The main objective is to expose learners and students to modern STEM laboratories and support existing initiatives such as Math-for-ALL Campaign.

From L-R: Ms Kekeletso Thejane, Assistant Lecturer and master’s student at Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering demonstrating the Pelton wheel turbine machine to the FSPG delegates. The machine is driven by the jet of water which is supplied by the pump from the hydraulic bench. The water strikes the buckets to rotate and produce a torque and power to produce the electricity.

Free State Premier Honourable Sisi Ntombela said that the launch marks an important day in the historical development of the Free State Province: “As a key national strategic player in the national and international discourse of the human development, we are witnessing a real regional collaboration that will promote sustainable growth and development of the Free State Province. This province will be taking the lead in the education and training sector through the establishment of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academy. The academy is going to put the Free State at the center of the 4th industrial revolution and help us promote and increase access to mathematics and science education. It will promote throughput pass rates in the STEM subjects in line with goals of the national development plan.”