Pretoria - Hundreds of learners from Limpopo will get a taste of what innovators in the world of science and technology have created when they visit an exhibition organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti).
The learners, in Grades 10 and 11 from the Capricorn District Municipality will be taken by the dti to the Innovation and Technology exhibition at Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane, where they will get to experience first-hand the latest inventions and techno gadgets.
"The main objective of exposing learners to these innovative creations is to entice them to follow science, engineering and technology careers," said Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies.
"Economically and socially, the global world revolves around technology, and young people are in the forefront of this technological revolution."
The exhibition is being held as part of the build up to the Technology Awards 2011, which will be held on 20 October in Polokwane.
The dti uses the awards to raise awareness of the benefits of using technology to improve the competitiveness of enterprises.
The awards recognise individuals and organisations that contributed towards technology development and innovation in South Africa. They are also aimed at inspiring and encouraging creativity and technological innovativeness amongst business people by rewarding those that make use of technology to advance their business.
"The dti recognises and acknowledges the fact that modern technology has not only become enormously pervasive and universal in nature, but it has also permeated all aspects of our lives to such an extent that virtually everything we do involves some elements of technology," said Davies.
Earlier, Davies announced the names of 31 companies, projects and individuals that will vie for top honours in this year's Technology Awards.
The dti Technology Awards are a combination of the three dti technology programmes, namely:
* Support Programme for Industrial Innovation, managed by the Industrial Development Corporation;
* Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme, managed by the National research Foundation; and
* Seda Technology Programme, managed by the Small Enterprise Development Agency.
