Speech - National
Science Week at Plaine Verte - Good morning and
thank you for inviting me to today’s event.
I am happy to be here on the occasion of the tenth edition of the National Science Week BUT the first one for
2014. The first one was held at Rose
Belle, which was a huge success, then we had similar events at Riviere du
Rempart, Flacq, Rodrigues, Quatre Bornes, Bambous, L’escalier, Saint Pierre, Triolet
and we are here at Plaine Verte for the
district of Port Louis.
Well
ladies and gentlemen
Science
is such a universal subject that we cannot do away with it. The country needs the critical mass of
professionals from scientific background in order to meet the future socio
economic challenges of the country.
The Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre
(RGSC) has the mandate to promote science and technology among the general
public and also among school students.
Thus RGSC came up with various programme like the Sky Observation programme
for general public, Science Through Colours, Science Project based competition
for school students, all having one and the same goal i.e. science
popularisation.
Each of these activities have
been tailor made to attain certain clear specific goals like for example
The objectives of the Sky Observation is to
provide the public at large, weather permitting, an exciting opportunity to be
introduced to stargazing as a leisure activity and be initiated to the
wonderful world of astronomy.
Science
Through colours on the other hand had been conceptualised to create scientific
awareness through drawing/painting and encourage students to explore scientific
theme through creative thinking.
The
science project competitions targeting the school students provides them the
opportunity to investigate issues related to science and technology using the
scientific method. This experience also
provide them the opportunity to undertake scientific investigation and also to
enhance their written and verbal communication.
And today
we are here with the National Science Week.
Science
popularisation, ladies and gentlemen, is not only for scientifically literate
public or for students who study science at schools but even for those not
opting for science as a career, a basic knowledge of science is essential for
better understanding the functioning of our own body, for being aware about
proper nutrition as regards to health, to understand, understanding abrupt
climatic changes etc.
It is precisely in
this particular context, and also following a Cabinet decision that RGSC is has
come up with the National Science Week.
Science Week
An important aspect
of the Science Week is to show the practical importance of Science and
Technology in various sectors of the Mauritian economy. In a moment we will
have the opportunity to discover together the exhibition that has been mounted
by various stakeholders in the field of science and Technology.
A series of
interactive and eye catching science demonstrations has also been scheduled to
explain science concepts and their applications in daily life, in a fun
manner. During the show audience
involvement, observation and critical thinking is encouraged
I am given to
understand also that a series of sensitising talks by various stakeholders will
also be carefully scheduled during this two days programme.
By pulling all these
resources together we wish to attain the following objectives:
a) communicate science and
technology in the community;
b) promote
public understanding of science issues and
c) supplement
the school curriculum in a non-formal, interactive and fun way.
We have noted lot of
interaction between the public and the stakeholders participating in the
exhibition
I am glad to note
that we have the contribution and the support of Ministry of Environment and
Sustainable Development, Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security, Mauritius
Blood Donors Association, Mauritius Research Council, Open University of
Mauritius, Police Traffic Branch, Fire Services, MFDC, Universite des
Mascareignes etc
Conclusion
To
end I have no doubt that you will all benefit from the exhibition and the
sensitisation talks and take the message ahead in your neighbourhood so that we
ultimately end up with an increased awareness and understanding among the whole
community on the important role that Science and Technology plays in our life
and hence aiming at a scientifically literate country.
Thank you for your
kind attention!
