Abstract:

In Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) in South Africa, there is a minimal focus of offering of the mathematical science (math sci) qualifications/degrees. In SMU, the level of exposure and understanding of the math sci lag behind, as the careers in the different subjects are not as clear and obvious as the ones in the health related qualifications. The qualifications in the science subjects were introduced later than the health sciences in the history of the campus due to community needs. Also the science and maths educators needed to be empowered in an institution of higher learning. The SMU campus, which was MEDUNSA (Medical University of Southern Africa) at that time, had to introduce the Bachelor of Science (BSC) degree programmes as a community engagement activity. MEDUNSA evolved into a campus of the UL (University of Limpopo) and later to SMU. None of these institutions gave the BSC degrees a proper platform in terms of investing as they did for the health sciences. As a result, investments in the math sci are still minimal on campus, and teaching is basically limited to lecture halls. However, other institutions offering the math sci qualifications, nationally and globally, expose their students to excursions of various kinds to get full exposure to the numerous careers for the math sci graduates. This paper uses the experiences of some famous local higher education institutions to demonstrate the way maths sci qualifications can provide challenging prestigious careers for high performers in the subjects.

Keywords:

Excursions, High performance, Maths exposure, Prestigious careers.