Three lecturers and a student from UKZN’s Discipline of Medical Microbiology attended Northlands Girls High School’s Grade 9 to 12 Career Expo, where they encouraged the learners to dream big, believe in themselves and choose to pursue bright careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as is strongly recommended by the Department of Basic Education.

The lecturers were Drs Nontobeko Mvubu, Sibusiso Senzani and Refilwe Molatlhegi, together with Mr Kieran Jacoby who is a final-year student in the Discipline. The Discipline is a large training and research laboratory within UKZN’s School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences (SLMMS) and also forms part of the National Health Laboratory Services Academic Complex in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). 

Guiding learners on subject selection for Grade 10, Team UKZN highlighted that the core of Medical Microbiology rests in research and new initiatives that will help define the future of diagnostic infectious diseases, research and education in medical microbiology, pathology, infectious disease and infection control and prevention. ‘The key goal of our Discipline is to provide high-quality service which is accessible, affordable and sustainable to KZN,’ said Team UKZN. 

Reflecting on their personal journeys transitioning from high school to university, Team UKZN said it was a global imperative for young girls to get into STEM careers, and UKZN provided a conducive environment for young girls and women in science, across the spectrum of research, teaching and learning. 

Often, learners want to either go into medicine, pharmacy or nursing. SLMMS combines the Disciplines associated with Pathology and Laboratory Medicine with the basic Medical Sciences of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, which underpin the clinical curricula. Team UKZN also draw the learners to other health sciences careers, advising that while varsity might seem far away, it is always important to pay close attention to application and closing dates.