The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) wishes to congratulate two of our students who performed exceptionally well in the annual FameLab competition.
FameLab is a competition focused on science communication and public speaking, aiming to encourage young scientists to communicate their research to the public. It is an international event that serves as a platform for these scientists to showcase their communication skills and reach broader audiences. The competition aligns with the government's Science Engagement Framework and supports its commitment to promoting science and technology. FameLab plays an important role in advancing science communication and making science accessible and appealing to the public.
Carla Horn is a master’s-degree student in Nursing Sciences in the faculty and won first place in the competition. Stefan Cloete, one of our PhD students in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, was the runner-up. Ms Horn will represent the NWU in the semi-finals, where she will compete against other students/researchers from various institutions across South Africa.
Prof Sanette Brits, one of the judges in the competition, shared that the judges were truly impressed with excellent presentations by the final 10 participants. The top three candidates’ scores were very similar and they truly came across as masters of the scientific content they presented.
“The competition gives students the opportunity to share and learn. It is definitely not easy to share one’s research, containing scientific facts, in only three minutes with a general community of people who do not necessarily understand your field of work. It takes skill, practice and perseverance.”
Participants are judged on content (relevant scientific facts), clarity (the focus of the research/project has to be clear and to the point) and charisma (enthusiasm about the research/project with excellent opening and closing remarks).
Well done to both Carla and Stefan on outstanding achievements in the competition and thank you for putting the NWU on the map. We also wish Carla all the best in the final rounds.
Carla Horn will represent the NWU further in the competition on a national level.
Stefan Coetzee secured the second place in the competition.
