CSIR partners with Vodacom on mobile applications challenges

Vodacom, in collaboration with Vodafone, has launched the global pilot of Betavine Social eXchange (BSX) in South Africa - a project to create mobile solutions to solve social problems in a sustainable manner via an open mobile applications community. CSIR Meraka Institute is partnering with Vodacom on the BSX Education and Training Challenge 2010. The project aims to matchmake communities who need mobile solutions with developers who can develop mobile solutions. The initiative is funded by the Vodafone Group Social Investment Fund.

The Education and Training Challenge encourages developers to create solutions that can be delivered via cellphones, which will show youngsters that mathematics and science have practical, real-world applications and are exciting subjects. Developers will translate examples from the TV world, where this is done via shows like 'Mythbusters', 'How stuff works', 'Tomorrow's World' and 'Extreme Engineering' into the mobile world.

The aim of the challenge is to encourage the development of new mobile applications and services in support of promoting 'Youngsters' attitude towards Mathematics and Science'. The CSIR Meraka Institute will assist in evaluating the entries and meet with the challengers.

A prize of at least R20 000 will be awarded for this challenge; the winner will also have access to additional financial support and the opportunity to discuss possible implementation with Vodacom and Vodafone.

The Education and Training Challenge 2010 is one of three Vodacom/Vodafone challenges currently being promoted via Betavine. The CSIR Meraka Institute is happy to support this challenge in partnership with strong industry players such as Vodacom and Vodafone. Over the past four years, this unit has built an impressive track record with its innovative approaches to the use of cellphones to support teaching and learning in schools. The Dr Maths mobile tutoring environment via MXit is an example of an 'out-of-the-box' concept that is making an impact amongst learners who need help to complete their mathematics homework.

The hope is that projects of this nature will inspire others to come up with new ideas to support mathematics and science education in South Africa. This will enable a strong pipeline of mathematics and science graduates that will ultimately enable South Africa to become more internationally competitive.

Employees and contractors of the CSIR Meraka Institute are excluded from the Education and Training Challenge 2010; however, the other Betavine challenges remain wide open for participation.