Science Education Advocate Khanyisile Kgoadi
The mGenAfrica platform which has been developed by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in partnership with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) was launched in August 2018 to promote interaction between high school learners and research staff working in genomics and other health research fields across Africa. mGenAfrica has a parallel Moodle-based quiz platform which allows learners to quiz themselves on matric exam papers. The initiative is supported by many other large organisations and aims to develop interest in genomic sciences, technology, engineering and mathematical (STEM) fields, as well as big data analytics.
Find out more - mGenAfrica: Introducing learners to careers in STEM
On Saturday, 14 September, 366 grade 12 learners from about 40 schools across the Western Cape gathered at Wynberg Girls’ High School to compete in the second mGenAfrica annual quiz competition.
In between the quiz heats career talks were given by UCT researchers. Khanyisile Kgoadi, a researcher in the Division of Immunology gave an inspiring talk to learners about the development of her career. She shared how her career path changed when she was rejected from medical school. After studying honours in biochemistry Khanyisile realised that she could achieve her goal of finding cures for infectious diseases in the field of Immunology. She is now part of a team that works to increase knowledge around the deadliest form of tuberculosis, central nervous system TB (CNS-TB).
Khanyisile said this about her mGenAfrica experience: “I was so happy to be part of the volunteers because I love working with learners, teaching them and motivating them to join the STEM field.”
Khanyisile has achieved much in her career as a young immunologist which includes a spot amongst the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans 2018.
Khanyisile is no stranger to outreach work and motivating young people. In 2015-2017 she volunteered as a maths head tutor and physical science tutor to grade 11 learners at Fezeka Secondary school in Gugulethu. Khanyisile also participated in IkamvaYouth as a mentor to grade 12 learners in 2017 as an education and science advocate.
Khanyisile added, “I absolutely love sharing the knowledge and skills I acquire with others.” Thank you Khanyisile for being an advocate for science and the Division of Immunology.
Article by Bonamy Holtak