By Monica Luwes , Manager of Graduate Centre at Sasol Corporate Bursary Services

Overcoming many of the challenges we face (such as climate change, load shedding, job creation, and sustainable water supplies), means producing future innovators through the use of disciplines such as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education programmes. Young South Africans who take STEM-related subjects at school can help shape this future, while creating rewarding, prosperous careers for themselves. 

This is according to Monica Luwes, Manager of the Graduate Centre at Sasol, South Africa’s employer of choice in the chemical and energy sector. She says that STEM has an instrumental part to play in addressing the social, economic and environmental challenges we face today. By embarking on a STEM career, you can help solve our country’s most complex challenges. 

Says Luwes: “Studies and a career in STEM can help you future-proof your skills and knowledge for future opportunities and developments. STEM graduates are in massive demand in nearly every industry and can have a significant impact on society, from creating new technologies to solving complex problems such as the need to accelerate to renewable energy sources.” 

STEM careers span many of the most important fields of the future, such as engineering and technology (including green technology), data science, agricultural science, environmental and medical sciences, construction and manufacturing, and robotics. In each of these areas, South Africa has a shortage of the skills necessary to build an innovative nation. 

Skills such as electrical, chemical and mining engineers rank high on our critical skills list. According to the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), South Africa has one engineer for every 3100 people, compared to Germany with one engineer for every 200 people. South Africa thus needs to produce 10 times more engineers in order to compete favourably with developed economies.

Get set for with the right skills for the future 

Says Luwes: “STEM degrees prepare youth for the future by providing them with essential technical skills that are becoming more valuable as the world becomes more digitised. Qualifications in STEM also provide you with a strong foundation in critical thinking and analysis. You are trained to evaluate complex problems, identify the key issues, and develop effective solutions.” 

Sasol is currently seeking high achieving Grade 12 learners with a passion for STEM to apply for an all-inclusive undergraduate bursary. Applicants need to obtain 70% for Maths, 70% for Science and 60% for English to be considered for an undergraduate bursary

The bursary covers tuition fees, accommodation, meals, textbooks, pocket money and an allowance for study tools. It also provides bursar support to help you to reach your academic potential and to maintain your personal wellbeing. It’s an opportunity to not only get financial support for your tertiary education, but to start a relationship with a trusted partner for your long-term career journey.

Luwes adds: “If you’re in Grade 9 and about to pick your subjects for matric, I urge you to think about taking mathematics and physical science up to Grade 12. Good passes in these subjects will enable you to study STEM degrees at tertiary level. Remember, you’ll be using your Grade 11 results for your initial applications to universities and for bursaries.”