Whilst the SADC member states are yet to determined and adopt a format for the event, the SADC SET Week will be launched and conducted in Mauritius during October 2009. The launch and the first edition of the SADC SET Week will follow the following format:
Activities of the SADC SET Week will be organised to respond to the following objectives:
The 2009 edition of the SADC SET Week will be conducted under the theme "Harnessing Science and Technology in the developing countries"
The following four thrusts have been identified:
Based on the key thrusts referred to above, the objectives of the 2009 edition of the SADC SET Week will be realised through the involvement of the following target participants:
The 2009 edition of the SADC SET Week will be celebrated over a period of three days.
The 2009 edition of the SADC SET Week will comprise the following activities:
An exhibition on Science and Technology will be organised with the participation of relevant institutions from Mauritius and the SADC member countries. The Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre which operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Industry, Science and Research will be responsible for the organisation of this exhibition. It will chair a Coordination Committee comprising of the following major partners:
The exhibition will provide an opportunity for relevant economic sectors to display scientific and technological developments that have taken place in their respective fields and that are relevant for future socio-economic development in Mauritius.
With the view to promote Science, Engineering and Technology Education among the population, the Human Resource Development Council will organise an Education Fair to bring all the Post secondary and Tertiary Educational organisations under one umbrella. SADC member countries will also be invited to showcase the various opportunities available. Seminars, pamphlets and posters by different universities may be considered as tools for information dissemination. The objective is to create awareness on science courses that universities in the region offer at tertiary level and trigger greater interests for science courses.
The regional scientific community will engage in round table discussions focusing on topics of regional importance and also of relevance to the theme of the event. The Mauritius Research Council will lead this aspect of the SET Week.
Research scientists will write newspaper articles for publishing in various national newspapers in SADC member states under the auspices of the SADC SET Week. Radio and television interviews will also be organised.
Fun-filled presentations will be organised for learners within the school system as a way of capturing their imagination with science. Where possible, scientists will visits schools to conduct science shows.