Dr Tozama Qwebani- Ogunleye featured in the Youth Perspectives on Science and Technology for the Sustainable Development Goals

By Nontobeko Zondi

On Tuesday, 15 June 2021, the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa and the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), in partnership with the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and The South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) held a webinar that created a platform for a transdisciplinary exciting dialogue on the role of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in society.

According to the webinars invite, the aim of the event was to promote an international STI partnerships and provide a networking platform for young South Africans and Irish scientists to engage on key STI matters and to build mutual supportive networks, fostering scientific collaborations between the 2 countries, especially across disciplines. The theme of the webinar was: Youth Perspectives on Science and Technology for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Our very own Dr Qwebani-Ogunleye, Project Manager for the Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Medicine entity at the VUT Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park was part of this vibrant discussion, representing the Young South African Scientists.

Below is what Dr Tozama had to say regarding the opportunity to be on such an international platform, how this experience impacted on her field and what she acquired to encourage the youth to be interested in science and technology:

• How do you feel to be featured in an international platform, representing South African, Higher Educations Institutions and VUT?

Answer: To be noticed and recognised that I will be fit to represent SA, higher education institutions and VUT at the international level was a great honour and privilege. It also shows that the work we do at VUT and the concepts we have, are of national relevance, while they are of global competence.

I was very excited when I received the invitation to be one of the panellists from the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa as well as the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI).  It was an opportunity of a lifetime.

• How has such platform impacted you to do more in your field?

Answer: When our experience transcends borders, it opens minds. One thing I have noticed is that we have common challenges, our solutions might differ, but our challenges are very similar.  We need to be able to transcend national, cultural and disciplinary boundaries. As a result of this webinar, I have started to get more invitations to participate either as a speaker or as advisor on matters that are of national and / or international importance.

The platform also encouraged me to prepare a plan on formalizing key strategic partnerships for the work I do, and this is one of the keys for sustainability. My mission is to integrate my passion in research, writing and leadership in order to advance organizations or institutions conducting scientific research which will impact positively on the socio-economic development of our societies. I also supervise the next generation of scientists as well as serve as a speaker to empower the youth with knowledge. Traditionally, literacy is defined as the ability to read and write. However, I would like to define the type of literacy that is required in this era as defined by Alberta Education, that is; “the ability, confidence and willingness to engage with language, to acquire, construct and communicate meaningful in all aspects of daily living”, where language is explained as a socially and culturally constructed system of communication. This is the type of education that is required with high level awareness for empowerment and sustainability.

• Lastly, what did you take back as a way of encouraging youth to be more interested in science and technology?

Answer: We have complex challenges that need dynamic thinking and collective leadership. The latter embraces a leadership model that encourages individuals to cross boundaries and work collaboratively to transform systems and communities. The youth is the hope of our future and there is a great need to see the youth as an essential part of development. This should reflect in the composition of the panel for policy dialogues, strategies, framework for Sustainable Development Goals, etc. We have over 1.8 billion young people globally and we need to empower and equip them with the necessary skills and thinking that is essential for this era. To create an appetite for science we need to continue with role modelling campaigns, with science expos, with policy debates and dialogues, with science that improves our societies, with national Science Symposiums, and with Academies of Science and with writing. One of the projects that I have recently completed and aligned with, this is my book that will be launched on the 30^th of August 2021, titled “100 Nuggets:  Pearls of Wisdom. The book was birthed out of values about education, leadership, youth and women empowerment, upliftment of marginalised people and community engagement. It is timely and relevant to modern society that battles with many social ills and where self-actualization is elusive. The book provides simple to read, day-to-day insights and words of wisdom, which are relevant to anybody in society, from a teenager battling self-confidence to a CEO needing affirmation.’’

An extract of the foreword of the book by Prof Ntebogeng Mokgalaka-Fleischmann, DTech, MBA, Pr. Sci. Nat.

The webinar had an open discussion with question and answer session for the participants.