GISSA Mpumalanga - GIS Week 2007

Background

The Geo-Information Society of South Africa (GISSA) Mpumalanga Region held two events this year in celebration of GIS Week 2007. A total of over 3000 learners in grades 10 to 12 from schools within the province were given information on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and career paths that are within the geo-information related field of practise. The learners were also advised on organisations that currently offer bursaries, learnerships and internship programmes for study and work experience that encompass the acquisition and use of geo-information skills.

 

Lowveld EXPO, Tshwane University of Technology, Nelspruit 15 - 18 May 07

For a second consecutive year GISSA MP participated in the Lowveld Expo Career exhibition hosted at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and organised by the Nelspruit Rotary Club on behalf of the Career Exhibition & Information Association. Once again this proved to be an exciting event at which over 3000 Grade 11 and 12 learners from over 40 schools around the province passed through the TUT hall where GISSA MP amongst other institutions had a stand with information on Geo-information related careers, tertiary training institutions, bursaries and internship programmes and manned by GISSA MP members who answered the multiple questions and advised the young learners. The ?aha? moments were those when a young learner realised the ?hidden? career options that reside in GI-related fields that are both fascinating and unique. A majority of the schools that participate annually in the Lowveld Expo are from the township and surrounding rural schools, where they have little opportunity to discuss the details of certain careers and a majority of students particularly in the earth science studies (agriculture, geography) often feel they have limited options on selecting tertiary study programmes.


Willie van Wijk and Amy Heyns with Grade 11 and 12 learners at the Lowveld Expo 2007, taking the students through the multiple uses about GIS Technology and related career options

Lindile High School, school near Ermelo, 15 May 2007

After the initial visit to Lindile High School in 2005, this school located in a rural area near Ermelo requested GISSA MP to once again address their learners this year on 15 May 2007. GISSA MP?s member from the Nooitgedacht Agricultural Development Centre presented to approximately 150 Grade 10 to 12 Learners on careers in Geo Information Systems related disciplines and answered the many questions from the eager and excited learners.


Musa Kubeka at Lindile High School presents to Mr. Cindi (Teacher) and the learners

 

Overall Regional Feedback on GIS Week 2007

GIS Week 2007 was another opportunity that GISSA MP was able to utilise to raise GIS technology awareness in the province and will continue to strive towards reaching even more learners in the future events. GISSA MP hopes to be able to work more with the schools in the area and given the rural nature of the province greater intervention and many willing helpers are needed to afford learners the opportunity to learn about GIS technology and possibly follow tertiary studies that will lead them on a GIS career path. Donations of computer equipment, particularly in the rural schools that have a dire need for this, as well as introductory GIS software and study material for urban and rural schools would also go a long way in changing the future of GIS technology in Mpumalanga province and GISSA MP will continue to facilitate any such ventures.

For details or enquiries contact the author: Daina Mudimbu, GISSA MP Chair, dmudimbu@ledc.co.za