Released on: December 30, 2007, 8:28 am

Press Release Author: Dr BR Natarajan

Industry: Education

Press Release Summary: The great Rabindranath Tagore way back in 1917 had said that
the highest education is that which does not merely gives us information but makes
our life in harmony with our existence. In his conversation with Einstein, the great
Rabindranath Tagore had said that in Science, we go through the discipline of
eliminating the personal limitations of our minds and thus reach the comprehension
of truth which is in the minds of the universal man.

Press Release Body: Several ndian scientists of repute like JC Bose, SN Bose, CV
Raman, Meghnad Saha, PC Mahalanbis, PC Roy etc, have put Kolkata, the city of joy
for excellence in pursuit of science courses.

But with the boom in IT sector, enrollment for science courses have been falling and
this trend persists all over India. It's feared in the years to come, India will
have difficulty to find teachers for science courses.

To popularize Science, the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Kolkata which
was established in 1978 has successfully developed over 25 museums and science
centers across India and it has plans to set up a Science Centre in each district
headquarters of India. Such a move on the part of NCSM calls for appropriate human
resources for the planning and management of numerous science centers.

The Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani which has pioneered many
educational innovations is committed to cooperative education philosophy of work
integrated learning for addressing the Human Resource Development issues of the
Industry as well as Society at large.

It is in this context BITS, Pilani and NCSM Kolkata joined hands in July 2005 to
offer a two year MS in Science Communication degree program. The MS degree has three
semesters of course work with four courses in each semester and the fourth semester
earmarked for dissertation work. The curriculum includes courses such as History of
Science & Technology, Concepts in Science Communication, Technical Communication,
Museum Planning & Organization, Exhibits and Presentation, Science Communication &
IT, Museum Management & Operations, Science Learning in Non-formal settings, Science
& Society apart from three courses in Professional Skills & Techniques.

The courses were taught by not only faculty from BITS Pilani but also subject
experts from NCSM, Kolkata. Professional experts from Smithsonian Institution, USA
shared their domain expertise throughout the program. Further value addition came
from guest lectures by faculty from eminent institutions in India. The learning
portal of BITS Pilani also provided IP-based Live Sessions, Meetings and On-demand
facilities.

On 28th December 2007, in a colourful function organized at NCSM Kolkata, the first
batch of 10 candidates who successfully completed the program received their final
degree certificates from Prof LK Maheshwari Vice Chancellor BITS Pilani. The other
dignitaries who addressed the gathering included Prof G Padmanaban Chairman
Governing Body NCSM, Smt Deepawati Sen Chairperson Executive Committee CRTL, Dr
Arabinda Mitra Executive Director Indo US Science & Technology Forum, Shri Ingit
Mukherjee Director General NCSM and the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr SK Ray
Director CRTL. The other dignitaries present for the function included Directors and
senior officers from various Science Museums across the country and Prof HS Jabbal
who had successfully steered the program to completion.

When two institutions join hands for a mission with passion, there are no dreams too
large, no innovations unimaginable and no frontiers beyond reach. For BITS Pilani,
the success of this program in India today is yet another milestone in industry
university collaborations.

Web Site: http://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/dlp-home

Contact Details: Dr BR Natarajan
Professor & Dean
Birla Institute of Technology and Science
Pilani (Rajasthan) 333031 India
Phone 91-1596-242210
Fax 91-1596-244183
brnt@bits-pilani.ac.in
www.bits-pilani.ac.in