Noorderland twins’ science dreams lie abroad
Hanyani and Hatlani Malumbete's applications for the 2024 Global STEM Academies stood out from nearly 6 000 applications from more than 15 countries.
POLOKWANE – Noorderland High School twins, Hanyani and Hatlani Malumbete have been selected to be part of the 2024 Global STEM Academies run by AFS Intercultural Programmes.
The Gr 10 learners’ applications stood out from nearly 6 000 applications from more than 15 countries to be one of the 150 teenagers selected. Hatlani received a scholarship in China.
He will be travelling to China on July 6 and return on August 2. Hanyani is waiting for confirmation of whether he has also been placed in China or the USA.
The twins have to take part in a 12 week virtual e-learning curriculum-developed by AFS and the University of Pennsylvania Centre for Social Impact Strategy.
This portion of the programme consists of student-led social impact projects and presentations that offer potential solutions to real-world challenges, with an emphasis on sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including the topics of climate change and the energy transition.
Once completed, the learners will travel on a four week experience in one of their five academies in Brazil, China, Egypt, India, or the USA.
Hatlani and Hanyani indicated that their mother always shares opportunities with them as a means to keep them occupied.
“She believes that an idle mind is the most dangerous thing a child possesses,” said Hanyani. He added that he is excited for the opportunity and he is practicing Mandarin, in case he goes go China.
Hatlani shared that he is preparing for the programme by slowly distancing himself from his family so that by the time he has to be away from them, it won’t be as difficult.
“I expect to gain a lot of knowledge from the programme from the diversity, to how technology is advancing in other countries. I want to bring back some knowledge that I can implement when I return,” he said.
The AFS Global STEM Academies are full-scholarship intercultural exchange programmes for teenagers ages 15-17. The programme is managed by AFS Intercultural Programs, an international non-profit organisation and the scholarships are fully funded by BP, a global integrated energy company.
