Top researcher on-air in Soshanguve
By Janus Snyders

The 2008/2009 Senior Black Researcher over the last 5 to 10 years as awarded by the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF), has reached out to the community of Soshanguve to promote science and technology.

Professor Christian Chimimba, Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria was interviewed by Soshanguve Community Radio on 15 August on the distinguished NSTF Award he received earlier this year.

He explained to the community of Soshanguve what the study of botany is and expanded on the honour of receiving this award.  On the question if he sees an increase in the interest of students who pursue careers in science and technology, Professor Chimimba said that based on the annual intake at the University of Pretoria he has seen a significant increase in interest from particularly black students. “But, I think we need to do more in attracting them to specific disciplines. Black students prefer to study medicine or to become lawyers, because they perceive those disciplines as paying more money,” Prof Chimimba said, but added: “I think there is more to science than we think. We need engineers, we need people that are specialists in physics, genetics and even rocket sciences for example, there is no limit.”

According to Prof Chimimba the need for the improvement of education in mathematics, science and technology has been attended to by various role players, but the process needs to be sped up to improve the quality of students. “Science has four pillars, the first pillar is chemistry, the second is physics, the third is botany and the fourth is zoology. All these are united by mathematics. If one wants to pursue a career in science, one need to pass mathematics, science subjects at school level.” Prof Chimimba added.

In Prof Chimimba’s concluding remark to the community, he advised parents to encourage their children to take science at school level to opening the possibility of studying science after school.

Approved by: Professor Christian Chimimba