Dimapur, February 17 (MExN): Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University (NU), Prof. BK Konwar, has expressed concern that the “young minds” in the country were losing interest in science and number of students in science stream was declining as compared to other streams.
The vice chancellor who was the chief guest at the inaugural session of the two-day ‘National seminar on Materials Science,’ which got underway Friday at Patkai Christian College (Autonomous), Chumukedima-Seithekema, said that students seem to find science no longer interesting and observed that over the last 20-25 years, the number of students pursuing science have shown a decline compared to other streams like commerce. Hinting that this would prove disastrous to the country in the long run, Konwar said it was high time to reflect why the “young ignited minds” were disillusioned with science.
“What is wrong with seniors like us? What mistakes have we committed?” he asked and said that the main reason for this disillusionment is because “we are teaching science without scientific innovations.” “If we don’t have attachment with what we are teaching or pursuing, we cannot attract or ignite young minds,” he added. Calling upon the students and teachers to do serious research and make optimum use of the facilities including laboratories and scientific equipments provided by colleges or institutions, the vice chancellor also informed that there are companies such as ONGC willing to sponsor research and academia in Nagaland. Further, the newly-appointed vice chancellor of Nagaland University said that during his 4-5 months stay in Nagaland, he observed lack of “work culture” among the people and said this should be done away with. Lauding PCC (Autonomous) for taking initiative to organize the seminar, Konwar said “autonomy” with regard to an education institution meant “garnering of knowledge and dissemination of knowledge.”
Guest of honour, Prof. BS Chauhan of School of Agricultural Science & Rural Development, Nagaland University (SASRD-NU), in his address said that “materials have been part of our life since the beginning” and that human civilizations have been named after materials most used in that particular civilization or era – from “Stone Age” to “Iron Age” to the present “IT or Silicon Age.” Stressing on judicious and rational use of materials, Prof. Chauhan cautioned that random and irrational use and exploitation of materials would lead to disastrous consequences for both Planet Earth and its inhabitants.
Earlier, PCC principal, Husazu Epao, delivered the welcome address and convenor of the seminar, Oinam U-wang presented the key-note address. The seminar is Department of Chemistry, PCC, in collaboration with SASRD-NU and sponsored by UGC. Resource persons and scientists from Odisha, Manipur and Assam besides Nagaland will speak and deliberate on “Green chemistry,” “Supramolecules”, “Natural products & pharmaceutical research,” and “Nanotechnology for science and society” during the 2-day national seminar.
