Vaal University of Technology Hosted Cii Youth-Association of Muslim Schools (AMS) Science Fair 2019

One of the projects displayed at the Science Fair

Wendy Ntshakala

For the first time, on Saturday, 27 July 2019, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) hosted the Association of Muslim Schools (AMS) science fair, where learners from different Muslim High Schools were invited to come and share their science skills and talent in a competition.

VUT facilitated in coordination with Cii Youth for learners to spend a day with intellectuals, academics, professors, postgraduate students, educators and lecturers. Grades 8-11 pupils from ten Muslim schools took part in the competition. The displayed Technologies/inventions ranged from Robotics, Data mining, Programming, Power Generators, Earthquake early warning system, Wind Mill, West beneficiation to Medicine.

Dr Naser Aliye Feto, a joint co-ordinator of the event along with Maulana Mohammed Seedat of Cii Youth, said: “As VUT, we are ready to mentor and incubate outstanding inventions and ready to support such initiatives as part of our community outreach programme.” Dr TA Walmsley (Acting HOD: Biotechnology) also gave a motivational speech. ‘We need the next Elon Musks from this generation…’ concluded Dr Walmsley. Throughout the competition, learners showed great enthusiasm with innovation and confident presentations. The science fair participants were further given the opportunity to experience an educational trip to VUT Science Park.

The last session for the day, which took place at the Science Park after the conclusion of the educational visit, was the announcement of the winners. Muhammad Uzair Shaik and Yassir Awad of Nizamiye Primary and High School came first in the senior division (Grades 10and 11) and Farhana Patel and Suhail Choonara of Springs Muslim School came second.

Both Salma Saccor of Abdullah bin Salaam Islamic Centre and Talha Patel of Auckland Park Academy of Excellence came first in the junior division (Grades 8 and 9).

The event was a success with new opportunities and doors being opened for the participants and their schools. Dr Feto pledged that VUT will continue to support and partner with Cii Youth-AMS for future Science Fairs with expanded participants including the ones from non-Muslim Schools in the Vaal Triangle.

“The human mind is beyond the 4^th industrial revolution as the mind is here to invent,” said Mr Abdullah Sujee, the executive member of the AMS and Principal of Roshnee Islamic School.