Speech - Signing of Addendum to MoU between Rajiv
Gandhi Science Centre Trust
Fund and National Council of Science Museums
Friday 29th August 2014 at 9.00 hrs
His Excellency, Mr A.K. Mudgal, High
Commissioner of India,
Mr Pramod Kumar Jain, Joint Secretary, Ministry
of Culture, Government of India,
Mr K.K. Motee, Chairman of Rajiv Gandhi Science
Centre Trust Fund
Thank
you all for being present here this morning, for the signing ceremony of the
Addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding between Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre
and the National Council of Science Museums India.
I
have the pleasure to welcome Mr Pramod Kumar Jain, Joint Secretary, Ministry of
Culture, Government of India who is here for the signing of the Addendum.
The
Memorandum of Understanding itself was signed during the visit of the Prime
Minister to Indian in February 2012 to establish collaboration for the setting
up of a Planetarium and extension of galleries at the Rajiv Gandhi Science
centre. The Government of India, which through
the National Council of Science Museums has provided exhibits for five
galleries, the outdoor science park, a Mobile Science Exhibition and an
inflatable planetarium. The Government
of Mauritius provided funds for construction of the centre.
Today,
we are signing an addendum to provide for the change of the site of the
planetarium, which will now be located at Pamplemousses on the land allocated
for the university campus. I wish to
mention here that the Rajiv Gandhi Science centre has become an active
stakeholder in the promotion of science and technology and arousing the
interest of students to the importance of science.
It
has been organising activities throughout the year and reaching out to more
than 50,000 people, mainly students, through its National Science weeks, the
sky observation programmes, the science fun and science on the move activities,
and the Caravane de la science.
The
construction of a planetarium will bring an additional asset to the centre
and be useful to introducing people to
the world of astronomy and offering non formal education and awareness on
astronomy.
Science
and technology are critical not only for the economic growth but also to
address challenges of water security, food security, sustainable development
and health problems. The Rajiv Gandhi Science centre has therefore a vital role
to play in popularising science and making children aware of the importance of
science education.
Allow
me to express our sincere thanks to the Government of India for the support to
this centre and other education projects in Mauritius. One month ago, we had the immense pleasure to launch the IIT
Research Academy, which is a collaborative venture with the IIT Delhi. This is
a project with a great future as IIT is an iconic model science education of
high standard with world reputation.
Once
again, we greatly appreciate the commitment of the Government of India to
support education in Mauritius and to help us in promoting science and
technology.
I thank you for your attention.
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