CUT hosted the 25^th annual Southern Africa Association of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology (SAARMSTE) international conference themed: Research to learn and teach for diversity in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (MSTE). 

The conference started on 17 January and continued until 20 January 2017.  This international conference serves as a platform for delegates to network, interact and forge new alliances and ways of driving change within MSTE. The conference brought together a line-up of renowned experts in various fields such as Professor Maitree Inprasitha, Dean of Faculty: Education, from Khon Kaen University in Thailand. Prof. Maitree held a workshop and a special lecture on the topic ‘Foundation Phase Teachers on the Lesson Study and Open Approach’. Another expert, Prof. Judith Bennett from York University in the United Kingdom focused on ‘Teaching difficult ideas in secondary science- how research can help’. Her research uncovered the strategies on how to engage more young people with STEM subjects and how to expand their participation. Prof. Mellony Graven of Rhodes University, Dr. Mark Chetty- Department of Basic Education (DBC) and Ms. Busisiwe Goba from the University of KwaZulu-Natal delivered on ‘Assessing fluencies and strategies in national diagnostic assessment’.   Prof. Michael Askew from the University of Witwatersrand focused on qualitative teaching: an under-researched imperative and Prof. Piet Ankiewicz from the University of Johannesburg shared his research experience on ‘The affordance of the philosophy/nature of technology for diversity in technology education’. When welcoming the delegates, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Henk de Jager said the theme for this year’s conference offers interesting focus in terms of the broader objectives of fostering a better global community among researchers and academics through the MSTE fields, promoting research to improve and develop MSTE programmes in response to current and future needs and challenges. 

He also mentioned that there is still a wonderful spirit amongst the delegates despite the challenges facing the sector. “I am certain that the delegates’ participation in this conference will help the sector to facilitate and support the development of education that intellectually engages the topical regional and national development issues with the intention of conceiving, developing and delivering innovations and solutions to forge partnerships,” he said. 

Images 

1: CUT’s organizing team from the Faculty of Humanities successfully hosted the 25^th annual Southern Africa Association of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology (SAARMSTE) international conference. 

2: Lessons were learned and experiences shared - subject experts from local and abroad, academics, teachers and mathematicians who attended the 4-days Southern Africa Association of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology (SAARMSTE) international conference hosted by CUT.