An Old Mutual science centre a facility mainly targeted at schoolchildren will be launched at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, this month. The centre is being established on the lines of a popular science centre set up in a partnership between MTN and the Cape Town shopping centre, Canal Walk, about two years ago. The Canal Walk facility has attracted 120000 visitors a year.

'The joint venture is intended as bold support for the government's drive for a stronger science and technology culture,' says Old Mutual MD Ian Watt.

He says the flagship Cape Town project has shown that science centres as non-profit, value-adding education facilities can provide an interesting attraction for the public and school groups.

Watt says the roll-out to other shopping centres will depend on availability of space and support by other partners.

MTN's group executive for corporate affairs, Yvonne Muthien, says the MTN 'ScienCentre' in Cape Town has been well received by teachers, parents, learners, sponsors, educational authorities and government , and has contributed directly to the new outcomes-based schools curriculum. It is playing an increasingly important role in skills development and training, she says.

The centres are seen as a platform for a range of science and technology events such as computer olympiads, science festivals and technology competitions.

Business Day