media releases - Internatonal Science show returns to Johanessburg in septemberWhile FIFA runs the world cup in soccer stadiums every four years, South Africa hosts the homegrown science equivalent on the African continent every two years. And after holding the last International Science, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (INSITE) two years ago, it is now time to get ready for the 2006 INSITE. Monique Frederick of the Durban biotechnology investment trust, LIFElab, said that the previous INSITE was "extremely well-organised" and that its broad range and diversity attracted many visitors. "Biotechnology is such a new field that some people didn't even know that it existed, let alone that they would find us interesting," she explained. "They came because they wanted to see something like the Telkom exhibit, and then discovered us!" This very week, the South African team of astronomers competing in the world bid to host the vast ultra-sensitive radio telescope project known as the Square Kilometre Array was in the United Kingdom to make their presentation to the international steering committee. On their return, the team will be preparing for INSITE - as they did two years earlier - so visitors can look forward to eavesdropping on the creation of the universe. "There is a huge amount happening in South African science at the moment - in fact there's so much that you can lose track of some of the projects," said Kim de Boer, assistant project manager for the Square Kilometre Array astronomy bid in Johannesburg. "INSITE is the perfect chance to see everything that's going on, and it's ideal for communicating to the general public." The previous INSITE in 2004 was abuzz with energy, according to Nhlanhla Nyide of the Department of Science and Technology. "It was the first time that many ordinary people, scientists and opinion formers had the chance to discuss issues in an informal setting," said Pretoria-based Nyide, one of the organisers of the event. In the same way that the recent - and hugely popular - Cape Town Book Fair offered young and old the chance to amble through a diverse range of local and international literature, INSITE does something similar for science, compressed into four busy days from September 24 to 27 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. The Shuttleworth Foundation established in Cape Town by cosmonaut/billionaire Mark Shuttleworth - the first African national in space - will be exhibiting at the 2006 INSITE for the first time. Jason Hudson, project manager of the non-profit educational organisation, said "we're very excited because there's a wide audience, with a strong emphasis on schools, educators and learners which we are particularly interested in." The chance to discuss funding opportunities with the Shuttleworth Foundation might provide a lure, but Hudson says their stand will offer other temptations as well, including a cutting edge Freedom Toaster vending machine where the public can bring their own blank CD-ROMS in order to burn their own valuable open-source software, thereby neatly bypassing the agony (and expense) of downloading large software files for hours or paying exorbitant copyright fees. This year's focus will include a strong emphasis on encouraging talented youngsters to consider careers in science. And some of the world's best brains will be coming from around the world, as delegates from more than 30 countries - including the economic powerhouses of Japan, China and the European Union - will meet at the exhibition. For further information: Other media releases News | Latest | Archive |
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