SA to launch a satellite to help students study remotely

CAPE TOWN -

With universities gearing up to reopen at the start to Level 3, the South African government is looking at technologies that help with remote-learning, said Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande.

Nzimande said while all public universities already have detailed strategies for remote teaching and learning during lockdown, the department is finalising funding to support the implementation by June 1.

“As we try to find better ways to implement effective multi-modal, augmented remote learning systems, we are considering the use of Space Science and Earth Observation technologies and platforms in support of our plans to reach vulnerable students,” said Nzimande.

“The Department of Science and Innovation, in conjunction with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, SENTECH and South African National Space Agency, is currently looking at a long-term solution to supporting the digital transmission needs for the national education system through the launch of a locally-produced communications satellite.

“The CSIR is also completing the task of establishing a Geospatial planning map identifying the location and distribution of learning and co-learning sites in all the districts of South Africa to enable us to support students in the period before full return to campuses,” he said.