Three South African students are preparing to showcase their research on education, aviation, and artificial intelligence at the International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology (I-FEST²) in Tunisia from 23–29 March 2026.
The festival, organised by the Tunisian Association for the Future of Science and Technology, brings together young innovators aged 14 to 24 from across the globe to present projects, explore new discoveries, and engage with science in an international context.
The South African delegation includes Diya Zacaria, a Grade 11 student at The High School for Girls in Potchefstroom; Nathan Moolman, a Grade 11 learner from Leeuwenhof Akademie in Johannesburg; and Nicolaas Steenkamp, a Grade 10 student from Stellenbosch High School. All three are medal winners from last year’s Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF) and will travel under the guidance of Anina Nel, Regional Science Fair Director for Eskom Expo Welkom.
Each participant will present research addressing practical challenges in their fields. Zacaria, 16, developed “Smart Stepping”, a computational algorithm designed to improve school timetabling and student movement efficiency using mathematical modelling. Moolman, also 16, will demonstrate his aerodynamic simulations comparing a morphing NACA-2415 airfoil with a conventional flapped design, exploring sustainable innovations for aviation. Steenkamp, 16, focuses on reinforcement learning in AI, evaluating strategies for Q-learning algorithms through a Hexapawn simulation, testing reward-only, punishment-only, and combined approaches.
Speaking on the initiative, Acting CEO of the Eskom Development Foundation, Mologadi Motshele, highlighted the importance of international exposure: “By presenting their research on a global stage, these learners not only contribute to scientific dialogue but also demonstrate the potential of South Africa’s emerging innovators to solve real-world problems.”
The festival will feature hands-on workshops, excursions, and opportunities to experience Tunisian culture, providing participants with exposure to both technical expertise and global collaboration.
South African learners in Grades 4–12 and TVET colleges (NC(V) Level 2–4) can still register their research projects for the Eskom Expo via www.exposcience.co.za, joining the next generation of scientists shaping solutions for education, technology, and sustainable growth.
