Technopark-Thiruvananthapuram will host the 25th Kerala Science Congress to be held here from January 29 to 31 next year.
‘Science education and research’ will be the focal theme of the session, a spokesman for the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), main organiser of the event, said.
UMBRELLA BODY
KSCSTE is the umbrella organisation of the research establishments in the State and hosts the annual event with a view to revitalising research and development and identifying new talents in scientific research in Kerala.
A national science exhibition will also be organised as part of the main event at the Kanakakunnu Palace in the city from January 28 to February 5.
Major research and development organisations, science and technology institutions and the industry are expected to participate.
Science education and research has been chosen the special theme in view of its criticality in fulfilling the country’s aspirations as a knowledge-based economy, says V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Executive Vice-President, KSCSTE.
MEMORIAL LECTURES
The event will feature memorial lectures in honour of visionaries such as P.K. Iyengar; G.N. Ramachandran; E. K. Janakiyammal; P.T. Bhaskara Panicker; P.K. Gopalakrishnan; and P.R. Pisharoty.
“Kerala has made substantial efforts to strengthen its science base through several research and development initiatives,” Pillai, who is also the president of the 25{+t}{+h} science congress, said.
Being a state with high population density and limited natural resources, a judicious use of the resources and building up human skills are essential, he added.
A.E. Muthunayagam, Chairman of the organising committee, said the session would provide a platform to deliberate on new perspectives and promote innovation in the field of science education.
DECLINING INTEREST
A general perception about the declining interest in science among students is that they are not motivated enough to study science.
The crisis in science education coupled with lessening scientific creativity countrywide calls for a rethink on the system of science education, he added.
Separate workshops on these issues are planned at select institutions, including universities, in the State. Recommendations will be escalated to the special theme session of the congress.
Registrations for the event will begin from Saturday, September 1, 2012.