The CSIR Optics Student Chapter (OSC) was recognised as a finalist among three other international student chapters in the community/youth outreach category at the Optical Society of America (OSA) Student Chapter and Local Section Excellence Prize ceremony held in Rochester, New York, last month. This category acknowledged chapters who have made a difference in their local communities by raising awareness on the science of light.

“We are extremely pleased to have been acknowledged. For many disadvantaged communities, science is often seen as a foreign concept disconnected from daily life. However, through our regular school visits and other community engagement activities, we are able to give life and relevance to the subject,” says Chwayita Madikizela, Secretary-General of the CSIR OSC.

Since its inception, the CSIR OSC has successfully facilitated a number of meaningful conversations between pupils, universities, local communities and industry professionals. Additionally, through the CSIR OSC’s outreach programmes and planned lab visits, postgraduate students have been able to access information regarding professional development opportunities.

“With the government’s plan to increase the number of university applicants, participation rate and doctoral graduates in the science and technology (S&T) sector, it is crucial for the CSIR OSC to serve as an information hub that enables local communities, particularly the youth, with the opportunity to tap into the world of optical science and engineering, while being exposed to opportunities,” says Loyiso Maweza, outgoing CSIR OSC President.

Some of the initiatives led by the CSIR OSC team include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Career exhibitions aimed at providing information on career options in optics and photonics and exposing students to experimental demonstrations.
• School outreach programmes in partnership with other entities. Often, the programme outline for its outreach programmes comprises an optics lecture, experiment demonstrations and sometimes, an optics experiment competition.
• Student visits that provide either schools or universities with the opportunity to engage and gain practical exposure in their area of interest. 
• National Science Week: Demonstrated optics and photonics experiments, as well as provide career guidance.

In the 2015/2016 financial year, the CSIR OSC team facilitated numerous events and activities aimed at providing young minds across South Africa with an opportunity to experience the world of S&T in an unconventional way. As a result, over 1 000 students have benefited from these initiatives.

Currently, the CSIR OSC has 30 members comprising postgraduate students, post-doctorate students and alumni.

“We remain committed to our key objectives of raising awareness on optical science and engineering, facilitating meaningful conversations with local communities and maintaining good stakeholder relations with our partners in an effort to afford the South African youth with an opportunity to experience the endless possibilities in the S&T sector,” adds incoming CSIR OSC President, Daniel Morris.

For more information, please contact: Mr Tendani Tsedu, CSIR Media Relations Manager at 082 945 1980 or 012 841 3417 or mtsedu@csir.co.za