SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HOSTS AFRICA ENGINEERING WEEK

Increasing the number of women in engineering in South Africa and on the continent was high on the agenda of the third Africa Engineering Week, which was held in Port Elizabeth, on 28 and 29 September.

Engineering across the world has become less attractive to young people, causing concern among industry stakeholders. In Africa, the problem is particularly chronic, as it hampers infrastructure development.

Engineering Week aims to educate the youth and the general public about engineering through outreach activities such as educational workshops, public awareness events and mentoring activities that show how engineers are key players in finding solutions to significant global challenges, such as climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Hosted by the Department of Science and Technology, together with the Engineering Council of South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, the two-day event created a platform to discuss opportunities, challenges and solutions experienced in engineering in Africa.