AMU receives grant for science awareness among students

Aligarh : To raise adequate level of awareness of science and technology and cutting-edge research studies among students; the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has been sanctioned a grant for one year of Rs 1.16 crore under the Synergistic Training Utilising the Scientific and Technological Infrastructure (STUTI) by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.

With the grant, AMU will undertake activities on ‘Hub and Spoke Model’ to organise training programs on the equipment sanctioned under the Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST) grant of DST for research scholars, faculty members and scientists and conduct ‘Science Awareness Week’ as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations for various school students of classes XI and XII (Science Stream) from February 22 to 28.

In the background, a ‘Science Awareness Week’ programme of the Department of Physics at AMU will be held under the grant, beginning from February 22 to culminate on the National Science Day, February 28.

Prof B P Singh (Chairman, Department of Physics), Prof Archana Sharma (CERN, Switzerland), Prof M Sajjad Athar, Dr S M Afzal, Dr S S Z Ashraf, Dr Sudhir K Gupta, Dr Jai Prakash and Dr Faraz A Inam are the speakers for the ‘Science Awareness Week’ observations.

“In the week-long observation, activities that showcase science and encourage younger people to consider continuing studies in science will be held. We aim at engaging students in scientific talks, demonstrations and other events to inspire them through awareness and by sparking enthusiasm”, said Prof B P Singh.

He added: “Class XI and XII science students from various AMU schools and other Aligarh based schools will participate in the week-long celebrations and under the women empowerment initiative, participation of girl students will be preferred. The STUTI programme under the DST initiative will provide a platform for students to get familiarised with the available resources, and equipment supported by the Government of India”.

“During the Science Week, students will get the opportunity to meet prominent faculty, scientific lectures will be delivered, scientific quizzes and elocutions will be held and hands-on activities will be conducted. There will also be demonstrations of scientific equipment and short films showcasing India’s scientific glory will be screened,” he added.