On October 17, 2024, Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) hosted a captivating Science Film Festival screening. This was a collaborative effort between MUT’s Institutional Advancement (IA), the UKZN Centre for Creative Arts, and the Goethe-Institut. The event, held on North Campus, attracted the Nature Conservation Project Management class, immersing them in an exciting fusion of science and storytelling.
Dr Connie Israel, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement (IA), said this was not just an ordinary film screening. “The selected films presented innovative ways of addressing environmental issues, blending the rigour of science with the evocative power of cinema. The session highlighted how creative expressions can advance our understanding of pressing ecological challenges, offering fresh perspectives on conservation efforts,” said Dr Israel.
Project manager from IA, Zinhle Mbili said that the active involvement of the Director: Centre for Algae Technology (CAB), Professor Akash Anandraj, and Lecturer in the Department of Nature Conservation, Refiloe Ntoi, was especially appreciated; their dedication was instrumental in making the event a success. The question-and-answer session that was facilitated by Sakhile Gumede, Project Officer from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Centre for Creative Arts, offered insightful reflections after the screening, connecting the themes of the films with the curriculum, while Ntoi’s organisational contributions helped bridge the academic and creative aspects of the collaboration.
Dr Israel observed that in an era where science often feels distant from the everyday experience, “this event demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. By leveraging the arts, students could engage with scientific topics in a more accessible and emotionally resonant way, sparking thoughtful discussions on the future of conservation in a world shaped by rapid environmental change”.
To incorporate Art into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the Science Film Festival at MUT represents a growing movement to recognise the value of the arts in expanding how we engage with scientific concepts. This approach often referred to as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) seeks to integrate creative thinking into traditionally technical fields, encouraging innovation by tapping into the imaginative power of art.
For the Nature Conservation Project Management class, this intersection was not just theoretical; the films offered a visual and narrative richness that grounded abstract scientific principles in real-world challenges and solutions. Whether it was through the striking cinematography that captured ecosystems in peril, or the emotionally driven stories that humanized the impact of environmental degradation, students were encouraged to see beyond the confines of scientific data and consider the cultural, social, and ethical dimensions of conservation. For MUT student experience, this was a wonderful opportunity and enjoyed by all.