Inspiring the Next Generation of Data Scientists

The Sub-Saharan Africa Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics Training (SSACAB), in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, recently facilitated an exciting STEM career awareness event for learners in Grades 9–11 held in Durban. The goal was simple but powerful: to inspire young people to make informed subject choices that open pathways to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Speakers demonstrated how mathematics and statistics underpin almost every aspect of our daily lives — from music, gaming, and artificial intelligence to cosmology, GPS, and satellite technology. Through SSACAB’s involvement, learners were introduced to the emerging and impactful field of biostatistics — a discipline that applies statistical reasoning to solve real-world health challenges.

Specifically, the outreach aimed to:

👉 Inspire high school learners to see how their interest in mathematics, science, or educational technology can evolve into a career in biostatistics.
👉 Support them in exploring biostatistics as a viable and rewarding career option.

Why these matters

Data-driven decision-making is at the heart of modern problem-solving — from improving healthcare systems to predicting disease outbreaks and shaping policies that save lives. Yet, in much of Africa, the pipeline of young statisticians and data scientists remains limited. By sparking curiosity at the high school level, SSACAB and its partners are investing in the continent’s next generation of thinkers, innovators, and researchers who will lead Africa’s data revolution. Encouraging learners to see the creative and practical power of mathematics not only strengthens future scientific capacity but also ensures that African data tells African stories.

Speakers

Dr Jesca Batidzirai
Prof Henry Mwambi
Dr Danielle Jade Roberts
Dr Yüvika Singh

Dr Cerene Rathilal
Together, these experts showcased the limitless possibilities that data and statistical science offer — helping young minds see that numbers aren’t just theoretical tools, but the keys to solving real problems and shaping the world around us.