St John’s College Technology and Innovation Hub Career Expo

The University of Cape Town's Division of Human Genetics team travelled to Mthatha to engage with grade 12 learners at the career expo.

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Members from different groups including PubGem under Human Genetics (UCT) were invited to participate in the Career Expo hosted by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the National Research Foundation – South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF–SAASTA), the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE), together with St John’s College which was held on 08 and 09 May 2026 in Mthatha. This initiative aimed to inspire Grade 9-12 Eastern Cape learners by showcasing diverse career opportunities in science.
The task was to highlight the exciting possibilities within genetics research and the roles included engaging directly with learners, answering their questions, and sharing how genetics contributes to health, innovation, and scientific discovery.
Key contributions included:
Career awareness: Guiding learners through the wide range of scientific careers, from laboratory research to applied health sciences.
Human genetics promotion: Emphasizing the importance of genetics in tackling global health challenges and advancing personalized medicine.
This initiative strengthened outreach, inspired learners, and fostered collaboration between education and science.