The Ministry of Science and Technology has declared the week from 10-17 November as Science Week to coincide with the celebration of World Science Day which falls on 10 November every year. Denoting the inauguration of the National Science Week, the main commemorative ceremony of World Science Day themed “Science for Global Understanding” was held this morning at D.S. Senanayake College Colombo under the patronage of Minister of Science and Technology Susil Premajayantha. Significantly, with the objective of propagating Science and Technology within the school education system, the main focus of the event was on schoolchildren. Over 1200 schoolchildren were present on the occasion.
As a special programme of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, measures have been taken to enhance and popularize STEM education within the school education process. The prime objective of this programme is to separate this stream distinctly and encourage more and more schoolchildren to pursue higher education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics which are directly cognate with the fields of Science and Technology. The Ministry of Science and Technology took several initiatives to mark Science Day with the aim of engendering interest and enthusiasm amongst students towards these subjects for the attainment of this objective. Two expert panel discussions were organized as part of Science Day celebrations to clarify the current and future forms of the subjects of Biology and Physics.
During the Science Week which commenced today, arrangements have been made to implement a number of programmes for the advancement of the field of Science and Technology by the Ministry and institutions coming under its purview. Raising awareness among public on the role of Science and Technology for the creation of an informed society which has the ability to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, promoting national and international coordination for the practices in the field of science and technology as well as offering the contribution of the field of science and technology for the eradication of poverty are amongst the objectives that prompted the declaration of a Science Week.
A number of programmes are to be implemented at the regional level too during the Science Week and arrangements have been made to screen short films relating to the field of science and technology and hold science seminars, science exhibitions etc with the support of universities and research institutes in relevant areas.