Gujarat Council on Science & Technology organizing a series of programs on World Science Day
Gandhinagar: Gujarat Council on Science & Technology (GUJCOST), working under the aegis of the Department of Science & Technology, Govt of Gujarat is organizing a series of programs and outreach activities on 10th November 2020 to mark the celebration of the World Science Day for Peace and Development.
The World Science Day for Peace and Development is an annual program coordinated by UNESCO worldwide since 2002. This year the objective of World Science ay is focused on science for and with society in dealing with the global pandemic at a time when the world is grappling with the COVID 19 pandemic.
Science plays an important role in overcoming this crisis and will also help to build more just, more compassionate, and more sustainable societies.
The current crisis should serve as a wake-up call regarding the urgency for increased financing and support of scientific research and collaboration. This concerns not only the natural sciences but also the social and human and sciences.
Natural sciences help us understand the virus, while social and human sciences enable us to look deep within our societies and reveal their complexities, avoiding sterile over-simplification and false evidence.
As the schools and all other academic institutions are closed due to COVID 19 pandemic situation, GUJCOST has organized on-line competitions among school and college students and other interested community members. While students from Std. VI to VIII are encouraged to participate in the painting competition on the theme “Science in Society” the students from Std IX onwards can submit creative slogans on the theme.
The meritorious students will receive attractive prizes and all participating students will receive a participation certificate from GUJCOST.
Further, in order to discuss the importance of science in handling the COVID 19 pandemic situation, GUJCOST has organized a webinar on the topic of science for and with Society in dealing with COVID 19. The webinar session will be delivered by Prof. Anamik Shah, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Vidyapith, Dr. Manoj R Gumber, Honorary Consultant, Civil Hospital. Sola Ahmedabad, and Ms. Moira Dawa, Communication Specialist, UNICEF India.
The program has been organized on Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/gvf-uaue-gei and to be live on the GUJCOST YouTube channel. A large number of participants, including, scientists, researchers, faculties, science communicators and students from every district in the state are registered to attend this webinar session.
Prof. Anamik Shah, Vice-Chancellor, Gujarat Vidyapith will discuss the importance of science in understanding the virus and the scientific challenges for a safe Covid-19 Vaccine for society.
Dr. Manoj R Gumber, Honorary Consultant, Civil Hospital. Sola Ahmedabad will discuss the current knowledge and best practices for caring for patients with COVID-19.
Ms. Moira Dawa, Communication Specialist, UNICEF India will discuss the risk communication and community engagement readiness and response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
During this unprecedented health crises, GUJCOST with its mandate on research has tried to bring science closer to society and to reinforce the scientific fraternity in the academic and industry sectors that are critically important.
GUJCOST has also launched a massive campaign and outreach program on COVID 19 Pandemic: Awareness and Wellness, targeting children, community members, service providers, healthcare workers, and so on since the beginning of lockdown with audio-video informative sessions, e-booklets, and illustrative posters to engage, educate and empower everyone to combat the COVID19 pandemic.
It is important to link our society closely with science – expressed Dr. Narottam Sahoo, Advisor GUJCOST. The World Science Day for Peace and Development celebration will inspire all to ensure that every citizen should be kept informed about the development of science and technology as well as the role of scientists in making our society more sustainable.