Political will to encourage science education stressed
An international meet of scientists ended yesterday, underscoring the need for political will to encourage science education and introduce sustainable technologies towards improving livelihoods and socio-economic condition of the country's people.
The symposium called upon policymakers to allocate more funds for the expansion of science education and research so that new technologies can be introduced to provide solutions of issues like food security and climate change.
Bangladesh Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Alumni Association (BJSPSAA) organised the two-day symposium, “Science for society”, marking the 40th anniversary of Bangladesh-Japan diplomatic relations.
Nearly 150 scientists from home and abroad attended the symposium at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council in the city.
The symposium was divided into five sessions where scientists focused on issues like biotechnology and nanotechnology, environmental management and food security due to climate change and natural disasters, eradication of poverty and development of an e-society.
It also discussed on issues such as renewable energy, biomass and biotechnology to build sustainable rural communities and focused on generating sustainable technologies in agriculture, health and engineering.
“Livelihood and socio-economic condition of people can be improved through better technologies. Policymakers must have the political will to promote scientific knowledge and education,” said Prof SM Imamul Huq, vice-president of BJSPSAA.
Sustainable technologies like renewable energy should be introduced and adopted in areas most prone to climate change, he said.
Imamul also underscored the need for joint research among scientists of Bangladesh and Japan to develop better technologies and contribute to society.
“We scientists have to remember that we have to discover technologies that are sustainable for the society,” said Prof Md Ruhul Amin, chair of a session on sustainable technologies in agriculture, health and engineering.
Technologies should be developed in ways so that those would be economically viable while people can readily accept and use those, he added.
Yasuo Igarashi of University of Tokyo and Prof Al-Nakib Chowdhury of Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology also spoke at the programme.
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