In 1996 the government adopted the White Paper on Science and Technology. It identified PUSET (Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology) as a major objective of the Department of Arts, Culture Science and Technology.
The Discovery Centre and its programmes meet these objectives and play a role in this national strategy.

THE PUSET OBJECTIVES ARE:

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Increase people's familiarity with and understanding of the natural world

Raise the level of public awareness and public engagement with the science and technology system

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Enable people to cope with the rapid and frequent changes in a knowledge intensive- and technology driven-society

Empower people to participate in science and technology debates, policy-making and decision-making and thereby extend and strengthen the democratic culture

Promote understanding of key concepts and principles of science and technology and in the process demystify science and technology

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Foster the ability to use science end technology knowledge in ways that enhance personal, social and community development

Increase the number and quality of students who opt for a science and technology career

Make the public value and understand how science and technology is leveraged for enhancing sustainable economic and environmental development

Establish close interaction between the practitioners of science and technology and the public, through which practitioners become better informed about the science and technology needs of the community

Provide opportunities for previously disadvantaged communities to better their understanding of science and technology.

Read more about the Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology as explained by the Department of Science and Technology: http://www.dst.gov.za