
FILE PHOTO: Minister of Higher Education and Science Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande and Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane has launched a State of the Art Innovative Sceince Centre Hub in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape. PICTURE: Dr Blade Nzimande/Twitter
COFIMVABA: The state-of-the-art science centre equipped with advanced green technologies is located in Cofimvaba.
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has launched and unveiled an Innovation Science Facility in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape on Wednesday afternoon.
The state-of-the-art science centre equipped with advanced green technologies is located in Cofimvaba, in the Intsika Yethu Local Municipality, under the Chris Hani District Municipality.
Eastern Cape Provincial Government said in a statement, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and its partners, through identified strategic objectives, has collaborated with the Department of Basic Education as well as the Eastern Cape Department of Education, in the establishment of the Science Centre.
“The facility will cater for and promote science awareness among the youth and the broader community in the Chris Hani District Municipality, including school-going learners and teachers,” the provincial government said.
The centre is also aimed at hosting teacher development programmes initiated by and in close cooperation with the Queenstown Provincial Teacher Development Institution, as well as provide laboratory services to surrounding schools.
Highlighting the importance of the centre during the launch, the minister said the centre will uplift the standard of teaching and learning in society.
‘‘It is going to act as a science centre to support many students in the locality with the connectivity that is there, some of the subjects and periods offered.
‘‘It is also going a long way towards tackling the challenges that we have, like the shortage of Maths and Science educators,’’ said the minister.
Dr Nzimande said on his official Twitter feed, this centre has an off-grid power supply comprising four renewable energy sources.
‘‘The building relies on a hybrid water supply which reduces its dependence on the grid by harvesting rainwater and recycling greywater for toilet use,’’ said the minister on Twitter.
The facility is also believed to form a hub for Maths, Science and Technology activities with training venues and permanent Science exhibitions.