South Africa did not produce enough graduate engineers, which was worrying, as good engineering made a significant contribution to social welfare, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor said on Monday.
Speaking at the UNESCO Africa Engineering Week, the Minister noted that only 1 500 engineers graduated per annum and only half went on to practice engineering.
Pandor stated that, according to a SAICE study, South Africa had fewer engineers than doctors, which was generally the case in developing countries. However, in the developed world, this situation was reversed, showing the link between engineering and social welfare.
“With a lot of engineers, you create the conditions for fewer health problems. There is an important link between infrastructure and social health.South Africa must quadruple its yearly number of engineering graduates.”
Pandor also called on scholars to work hard at maths and science while still at school to enable them to pursue a career in engineering, stating that “the future character of South Africa relies on your love of maths and science”.
By: Leandi Kolver
Read the full article here: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/more-sa-engineers-needed-to-improve-social-welfare-pandor-2014-09-01
