Bridge-building competition to attract youth interest in civil engineering

Ntuthuko Mlondo|Published

The South African Institute of Civil Engineering (Saice) will host 15 schools, as they participate in a bridge-building competition to attract youth interest in civil engineering. On the same day, there will be a career expo to further this mission. Both events take place on Thursday. Picture: Saice

Durban — Fifteen schools are expected to participate in the South African Institute of Civil Engineering (Saice) Bridge Building competition at Durban High School on Thursday.

The aim is to attract engineering interest among the youth. Since 1991, Saice has presented a remarkable opportunity for schools and pupils to engage with the fascinating world of civil engineering.

In their statement, Saice Durban chairperson Sam Pillay said that participating students would bring their completed bridge models with them for the in-person testing event led by a UKZN technical team.

Each team consists of three pupils from Grades 8 to 12, with the winning side representing Durban in the International Bridge-Building Competition. The National Finals competition will be held at the Midrand Conference Centre on August 23.

On the same day, Saice will be hosting a career expo to further its mission to engage the youth with civil engineering.

Pillay said that for maximum benefit to the pupils, they have organised a career expo with engineering companies and tertiary institutions being on hand to help them make informed career decisions.

Pillay added, “This is the ideal opportunity for engineering companies to not just showcase your brand, but also a chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of aspiring engineers.”

By participating, they can:

  • Engage in the exhibition Zone: “present products, services, and solutions to industry members and scholars, expanding your reach and influence”.
  • Conduct live product demonstrations: “showcase your projects through models and presentations, offering attendees an immersive experience of your company’s capabilities”.
  • Network and build partnerships: “connect with clients, industry leaders, and academic professionals to foster collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and future apprenticeships”.

“By integrating the career expo into the bridge-building competition, Saice Durban aims to provide students with a holistic experience that goes beyond the competition itself. This will empower students to make informed decisions about their future academic and career paths in engineering,” Pillay concluded.

Saice intends to hand over a cheque of R11 000 to the Seatides Combined School, victims of the recent tornado, to assist them in the rebuilding of their school.

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Daily News

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educationukzndepartment of basic educationdurbankwazulu natalethekwinischoolsbasic educationscience