From SA: NSTF Brilliants students inspired by top local STEM facilities

The rest of the NSTF Brilliants students’ group (a total of 19 were selected for this year) participated in a local STEM-related educational tour across Gauteng and North West from 27 to 30 July 2025. The tour included a variety of research facilities showcasing expertise in: agroprocessing (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – CSIR), advanced manufacturing or 3D printing (Aditiv Solutions), the mammalian research of mole rats (Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria – UP), nuclear medicine research (Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure – NuMeRI), five facilities at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) showcasing digital innovation (Tshimologong Precinct), aeronautic and space engineering (National Aerospace Centre – NAC), astronomy (Anglo American Digital Dome), ancient culture (Origins Centre), palaeontology research and fossil collections (Evolutionary Studies Institute), biodiversity and wildlife entrepreneurship (Lekwena Wildlife Estate), innovation and entrepreneurship in glider plane design & manufacture (Jonker Sailplanes), and visits to three leading faculties at North-West University (NWU) in engineering, health sciences, and natural and agricultural sciences, as well as the maths department and science centre. The students had an opportunity to see many of the NSTF Award winners in action and interact with them. Watch the Brilliants Tour video and view photos, available on the NSTF website.

The Brilliants tour concluded with well-deserved recognition for the students on the prestigious stage of the NSTF-South32 Awards, where the top professionals in science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation in SA were crowned on 31 July 2025.