Sentravison Bridging School

Sentravision Bridging School can be proud of its achievements. The school was launched in 1993 to encourage interest in and uplift the standards of mathematics and science in underprivileged and previously disadvantaged communities.

The project, which forms part of Dow South Africa's social responsibility programme, has gone from strength-to-strength and has realised its primary aim – namely to afford pupils from these target communities the opportunity to pursue tertiary education in the field of engineering.

Several graduates of Sentravision Bridging School have already attained formal qualifications in chemical and electrical engineering, and plastic technology. Others are currently in their first, second or third year of study toward engineering qualifications at various universities and technikons around South Africa; while some are enrolled for courses in analytical chemistry and computer science.

Importantly, the Sentravision Bridging School has been accredited by the Independent Examinations Board as an examination centre since 1995. As a result of their participation in the programme, several students have achieved excellent scores for both mathematics and science on the higher grade – scores which have given them entry to the tertiary institutions of their choice.

Dr. Sharon Lieberthal, Coordinator of the Sentravision Bridging School, says that a group of between 10 and 12 students is selected for the programme every year. The selection criteria includes:

Secondary school results
Psychometric selection tests
Career interests
An interview with panel members comprised of the Dow SA management team

Until now, the focus of the programme has been children of employees as well as children from neighbouring communities. Space and financial resources have limited expansion plans.

However, following the relocation of the Dow SA corporate office to Bryanston, the Sentravision Bridging School has sought and secured new, larger premises in Sandton. The additional space allows the school to increase its intake to between 18 and 20 students from 2001 onward.

With this growth, the challenge of finding financial support for those programme graduates wishing to undertake tertiary studies has become greater. To this end, Dow SA and Sentravision Bridging School are in the process of establishing a scholarship fund through which the players in the chemical and allied industries can sponsor students. At the same time, the school is pro-actively expanding its mentorship programme, which is designed to help the school's students adapt to tertiary education institutions.

Says Dr. Lieberthal, "2001 is a watershed year for Sentravision Bridging School. It is the start of the true new millennium and the start of bigger things for our project. Based on our experience so far, we are confident that this project will stimulate a new generation of science graduates with the knowledge and skills to contribute to the continued growth of Dow."


About Dow South Africa Products & Services Dow South Africa in the Community News Center Careers @ Dow Contact Us South Africa	Sentravison Bridging School < back Sentravision Bridging School can be proud of its achievements. The school was launched in 1993 to encourage interest in and uplift the standards of mathematics and science in underprivileged and previously disadvantaged communities. The project, which forms part of Dow South Africa's social responsibility programme, has gone from strength-to-strength and has realised its primary aim – namely to afford pupils from these target communities the opportunity to pursue tertiary education in the field of engineering. Several graduates of Sentravision Bridging School have already attained formal qualifications in chemical and electrical engineering, and plastic technology. Others are currently in their first, second or third year of study toward engineering qualifications at various universities and technikons around South Africa; while some are enrolled for courses in analytical chemistry and computer science. Importantly, the Sentravision Bridging School has been accredited by the Independent Examinations Board as an examination centre since 1995. As a result of their participation in the programme, several students have achieved excellent scores for both mathematics and science on the higher grade – scores which have given them entry to the tertiary institutions of their choice. Dr. Sharon Lieberthal, Coordinator of the Sentravision Bridging School, says that a group of between 10 and 12 students is selected for the programme every year. The selection criteria includes: Secondary school results Psychometric selection tests Career interests An interview with panel members comprised of the Dow SA management team Until now, the focus of the programme has been children of employees as well as children from neighbouring communities. Space and financial resources have limited expansion plans. However, following the relocation of the Dow SA corporate office to Bryanston, the Sentravision Bridging School has sought and secured new, larger premises in Sandton. The additional space allows the school to increase its intake to between 18 and 20 students from 2001 onward. With this growth, the challenge of finding financial support for those programme graduates wishing to undertake tertiary studies has become greater. To this end, Dow SA and Sentravision Bridging School are in the process of establishing a scholarship fund through which the players in the chemical and allied industries can sponsor students. At the same time, the school is pro-actively expanding its mentorship programme, which is designed to help the school's students adapt to tertiary education institutions. Says Dr. Lieberthal, "2001 is a watershed year for Sentravision Bridging School. It is the start of the true new millennium and the start of bigger things for our project. Based on our experience so far, we are confident that this project will stimulate a new generation of science graduates with the knowledge and skills to contribute to the continued growth of Dow."
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