Civil Engineering nOVEMBER 2021 | Vol 29 No 10

44 November 2021 Civil Engineering findings and recommendations of the CODESA Convention (Convention for a Democratic South Africa) in 1991. NSTF was initiated by government together with key stakeholders and role-players. Its membership consists of organisa- tions, and it represents wide-ranging expertise and experience in the SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) and innovation community. SAICE has been a member for many years, and has been particularly active in pro SET , which was preceded by SETAG (Scientific, Engineering and Technological Societies and Allied Professions Group of South Africa) – SAICE chaired this group for a number of years and still is a member. The main aims of the NSTF are to influence and promote dialogue of SET and innovation policies with the SET and innovation community and to provide independent and neutral platforms to: 1. Influence the development and implementation of public SET and innovation policies. 2. Contribute towards the renewal of SET and innovation systems through youth interventions. 3. Celebrate, recognise and reward excel- lence within the SET and innovation sector. The NSTF comprises the following sectors: Q Q Science councils and statutory bodies Q Q Small, medium and large businesses, associations and state-owned enterprises Q Q Civil society and labour Q Q Higher education sector Q Q Government sector Q Q Professional bodies and learned societies; the sector is represented by pro SET (Professionals in Science, Engineering and Technology). pro SET represents 40 organisations, institutes and associations who themselves represent professionals in various specialised SET and innovation fields. Notable amongst the membership are professionals in various branches of engineering, as well as education specialists in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and research. pro SET focuses especially on the following: Q Q Facilitating cooperation among profes- sional organisations regarding SET and education Q Q Facilitating and contributing to im- proved SET education Q Q Promoting the image of all SET practitioners. Further pro SET activities include: Q Q Virtual exploration – the STEMulator: An online platform is now live ( www.‌stemulator.org ) . It is a virtual exploratorium of animated STEM edu- cational exhibitions, designed to ignite a spark of curiosity in young minds. In the STEMulator one can explore how things work, and the science and engineering behind them, including STEM careers. Q Q Member booklet: The booklet is a pro SET guide to the South African professional SET landscape. It is meant to assist with understanding the SET environment and the roles of the various SET professions active in these fields. NSTF PO Box 9823, Pretoria, 0001 T: +27 12 841 3987 E: enquiries@nstf.org.za, awards@nstf.org.za W: www.nstf.org.za Room S-140, Building 33, CSIR Campus, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, Pretoria PROTEC (Programme for Technological Careers) PROTEC is a national, independent, non-profit educational service provider that was started in 1982, in Soweto, in order to help school learners from disadvantaged communities to prepare for, embark on and enter into careers in science, engineering and technology. The early success of the project soon led to its expansion into a national programme, and by 1990 there were PROTEC programmes running in 26 disadvantaged communi- ties throughout South Africa, providing supplementary education for Grades 10, 11 and 12 learners, as well as teacher training and curriculum support in the targeted subjects of Mathematics, Physical Sciences, English and World of Work (life orientation). This model is unique in that it is made up of both learner and teacher develop- ment components, and also entails devel- oping material for teaching and learning that is additional to what learners receive as textbooks at their schools. Through these efforts, more students are being adequately equipped for and exposed to the ever-expanding range of technological careers. PROTEC is an active member of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF), and is also recognised as a UNESCO cooperating organisation. Currently, PROTEC is based in Randburg, Johannesburg, and has a network of nine branches and seven projects in six prov- inces throughout the country. PROTEC PO Box 619, Randburg, 2125 T: +27 11 339 1451 E: info@protec.org.za , W: www.protec.org.za 364 Pretoria Road, Unit 4 & 5 The Ferns, Ferndale, Randburg ASOCSA (Association of Schools of Construction of Southern Africa) ASOCSA is not the first attempt to form a body that addresses, inter alia , matters of construction education and training. In the days of the Building Industries Federation South Africa and the National Development Fund there were regular annual meetings of the Heads of Departments that offered construction-related programmes. Recognising the two-tiered higher educa- tion sector in South Africa, there were separate meetings for universities and the former technikons. In the more recent past, the Chartered Institute of Building (Africa) initially convened annual educa- tors’ forums that did not quite fulfil the same function as the previous forums. However, during 2005 the very first meeting of Heads of Departments from all higher education institutions in South Africa met for the very first time since the re-landscaping of the sector to discuss matters affecting construction, and particularly construction education. This meeting was repeated in 2006 where the need was expressed for the establishment of a formal forum/association of uni- versities to engage in discussion, debate, collaboration and promotion of matters of mutual interest. ASOCSA therefore aims to be the professional association for the development and advancement of construction education in Southern Africa, where the sharing of ideas and knowledge inspires, guides and promotes excellence in curriculums, teaching, research and service. To achieve this aim ASOCSA is partnering with the