[Assam] ASTEC plan to spread scientific knowledge (The Assam Tribune, 08.06.2007)

[Buljit Buragohain]

                ASTEC plan to spread scientific knowledge
By A Staff Reporter
 GUWAHATI, June 7 – The Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) has taken up an ambitious plan to spread scientific knowledge and learning in all the 219 blocks of the State. With a budget provision of rupees one crore, the plan aims at setting up science centres for students in each of the blocks.

Named Aryabhatta Science Centres, they would introduce science and technology even amid the rural hinterland of the State and thus seek to create an interest in science and technology. The centres could especially motivate those students who already have an aptitude for science by involving them in different projects.

Another objective of the plan is to highlight current issues in science so as to promote basic science as an exciting career option, a trend that is not yet evident in the rural areas of the State.

Director of ASTEC Aswini Kumar Baruwa told The Assam Tribune, “The project is right on track. Our first step would be to screen and select partners in all the blocks of the State, which would offer us a room or a place to set up the centre. Next, we would train the personnel to manage the facilities.” Experts from Delhi would arrive in the State to train the centre managers, he added.

The entire project would be completed by March 2008, with the centres provided with the necessary infrastructure including science kits to carry out science experiments, he added.

As part of the programme, a school, science club, or library would be selected for establishing the science centre. Furniture, books, magazines, and other learning aids would be provided to the facilities, which with the aid of the centre manager impart science education to local students. 

Apart from its regular activities, the centres would organize science activity camps, science quiz competition, science essay competition, among others. Promising students would be able to visit select scientific institutes, courtesy the Assam Government.

The ASTEC director was of the opinion that the new centres once functional would become part of a larger movement towards science awareness and education. Later on they could receive funds from different quarters that support science projects at the grassroots.
            


















        


















  
 (The Assam Tribune,08.06.2007)
       
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