The 2018 Scifest takes place in Grahamstown from 7 to 13 March, with hundreds of learners from across the country expected to descend on the City of Saints.
The theme for this year’s Science Festival is Innovation 4.0, which organisors said called for “technology advancement and transformation, which is entailed in the fourth industrial revolution.”
In a statement on Sunday, Festival director, Pumza Tshebe, said that “Scifest hopes to attract researchers, participants, and speakers that would encourage audiences to understand artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, 3D printing, quantum computing and many other emerging technological breakthroughs.”
“We cannot wait to receive delegates, members of the public, scientists, and learners at this year’s science festival. It promises to be the best yet,” said Tshebe.
“We will also be welcoming back the new Minister of Science and Technology on Friday, 9 March who will officially open the festival.”
Tshebe indicated that the festival programme offers a remarkable list of lecturers and young researchers from across South Africa and abroad.
"Alongside the speakers and workshop, an exhibition of all South Africa’s scientific findings will be on display throughout the town of Grahamstown. We will have some of the workshops in museums, schools and in our townships,” she said.
She also said that chief amongst some of the ‘science rock stars’ attending this year’s festival is Mintek’s and the 2017 FameLab international winner Tshiamo Legoale, and one of the youngest doctorate graduates in the field of cell and molecular biology Dr. Tiisetso Lephoto from Wits University.
Other participants include Dr Jeanita Pritchett from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NISTS), Prof Mike Bruton, author of his new book: ‘What a great idea! Awesome South African inventions’.
Tshebe said last year, Scifest Africa attracted more than 62,000 visitors and offered a festival programme that consisted of 58 exhibitions and 726 events, presented by 291 contributors from 75 organisations in South Africa and the international STI sector.
