The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), Welkom Campus, in partnership with Eskom Expo, hosted the second leg of the 2026 regional science fairs, welcoming 678 learners from 67 schools for the Eskom Regional Expo Level 1 competition, alongside 39 schools participating at the regional level, including the Sasol regional component. The regional fairs began at CUT’s Bloemfontein Campus on 2 August 2026.

The Welkom Expo demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusive science education, with 557 learners coming from previously disadvantaged schools without laboratory facilities. This participation highlights the reach of the initiative and the shared commitment of CUT, Eskom, teachers and parents to creating opportunities for young people to engage with science, technology and innovation.

In his welcome address, Welkom Campus Principal, Prof. Mzikayise Binza, commended Eskom and the Eskom Foundation for their vision, institutional resilience and more than four decades of investment in youth development. He described the sustained national platform as “an act of nation-building” and acknowledged the important role of teachers and parents in mentoring learners and nurturing their curiosity.

Looking beyond the competition, Prof. Binza challenged Eskom and Sasol to partner with CUT in establishing a structured, year-round science, technology and innovation programme at the Welkom Campus. Such a programme could provide mentorship, project incubation and preparation for national and international competitions.

He further proposed co-branded CUT-Eskom science project boards and learning materials as a way to transform the annual competition into a sustainable innovation pipeline. He added that the initiative would strengthen collaboration between the institutions while ensuring that learners’ ideas, skills and scientific curiosity continue to develop beyond the Expo.