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Contact:
Ayodele Hippolyte
Thursday, March 06 2003 - According to development experts, science and
technology could become one of the major paths to economic growth and
development for small nations. Saint Lucia is taking its own steps toward
exploring this path through a pioneering initiative by the National Council for
Science and Technology for Development.
On Wednesday, the Council in collaboration with the local office of UNESCO,
launched a video series entitled Science, Technology and You at the Cara Suites
Hotel. The aim of this series is to stimulate general interest in and awareness
of issues surrounding science and technology. The launching was attended by
students, teachers, and representatives from the public and private sectors.
Chairman of the Council, Senator the Honourable Calixte George, declared that
countries like Saint Lucia need to be able to select and create the appropriate
technologies for its own development and so education and awareness are
critical. George said that it was key that the “science and technological
aspects of our local environment be brought together, integrated, instilled,
distilled into our local population, particularly those who have not been
exposed to science education”.
The videos are also aimed at generating an interest and zeal for science
subjects among students. Over the years, the number of students opting to study
science subjects such as physics and chemistry has been decreasing.
Minister for Physical Development and the Environment, the Honourable Ignatius
Jean in his remarks, hoped that these videos would act as a catalyst for
changing this trend because there is need for a new generation of thinkers to
spur local scientific development. According to Jean, it was “imperative
therefore that (we) begin to inculcate an attitude of creativity, innovation and
experimentation, especially among our youth…This should in the long term result
in increased scientific research and development at the local level”.
The series is comprised of eleven videos which explain the scientific processes
in areas such as aquaculture, power generation and manufacturing. There are
plans to distribute the videos to schools islandwide as well as for broadcast on
the National Television Network in coming weeks.
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