This youth month, the SAMRC hosted its 2nd GenS (Generation Science) job shadowing programme in collaboration with Stellenbosch University's Department of Biomedical Sciences.
GenS aims to motivate and empower students to become the next generation of scientists by actively involving them in the day-to-day activities of SAMRC laboratory work. To achieve this, invitations were extended to scholars from various schools within the Western Cape region. The programme's first cohort in Cape Town consisted of 46 learners from Grades 10-12.
For the 2nd cohort, which took place at the SAMRC’s Durban offices, 24 learners in Grade 10-11 from the KwaZulu-Natal region were excited to be part of the programme and indicated the importance of being provided with invaluable information that will definitely impact their career choices going forward. They commended the SAMRC teams involved which included mentors from the HIV and other infectious diseases Research Unit (HIDRU), Health Systems Research Unit (HSRU) and the Biostatistics Research Unit, stating that the staff were incredibly helpful and encouraging. The learners also expressed immense gratitude to mentors for taking the time to talk about their work, they could observe that the researchers are incredibly passionate about the work they do.
Included in the Durban’s programme were site visits to the SAMRC’s Clinical Research Sites in Isipingo and Chatsworth, where the learners were able to see the practical work being done.
Upon completion of the programme, the learners were presented with a certificate of participation at a closing ceremony, with this also presenting the opportunity for learners to share their experiences and perspectives.
