By Chipambano Mbewe
Organisers of this year’s Africa Science Week (ASW) have said preparations for the third edition of the Next Einstein Forum (NEF), which is an initiative of the African Institute of Mathematical Science (AIMS), is set and that the weeklong celebration is expected to take place in the country from November 27 to December 1, 2019.
Malawi has joined a total of 35 countries in the Africa Science Week whose period starts from October to December every year and this year’s event is under the theme; ‘Igniting the Power of Science’.
Malawi’s NEF Ambassador Chikondi Shaba
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, Malawi’s NEF Ambassador Chikondi Shaba, who is also the lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Malawi, said this year’s science week is mainly targeting students from primary, secondary as well as college who are doing chemistry, technology and engineering using interactive science kits.
Shaba said the idea to engage active students is aimed at imparting knowledge and skills to the youth in order to develop future and reliable scientists and technologists through different science activities.
“It is a fact that development is now going towards science and technology and innovation, so we want to introduce science and technology to students as our main target as well as demonstrating to the public the major impact of science,” she said.
The science week will have different sessions which include robotics challenge, education visits, women in science celebration, student factory visit and science caravan.
The activities are expected to take place in Zomba, Lilongwe and Blantyre where various students will also participate in physical activities and competitions which will saw some of the lucky winners receiving awards from the sponsors of the event which include Anglia Books, Nation Publication Limited, University of Malawi and Standard Bank.