Mangalore: A day-long discussion was mooted on the rejuvenation of chemical studies, names “ Rasa Chetana”(spirit of Chemistry) was organised at St.Agnes’ College in the Conference Hall on Friday September2. The collaboration Came from Pilikula Regional Science Centre, and Text Book Society of DSERT.
Professor Uday Mitra of IISC, Bangalore inaugurated the symposium in a special way, by lighting a lamp by pouring acid on a chemical. Mitra delivered a keynote address, in which he lamented decline of chemistry as it was not taught practically from High School levels, as a useful and creative science, using the classroom as a lab.
Women chemists were as low as 10%, because the usefulness of the subject of chemistry was lost in colleges, which should actually emphasise the utility of chemistry in daily life.
Chemistry increased longevity in India since 8o years, due to better medication. Our experiments conducted in labs are very law in essence, but teachers should increase Labwork by introducing more healthy experiments, to raise curiosity among students. But students are anxious to make more money, so their subject has to be made more relevant by needful changes in teaching the science3. Sr.Prem D’Sauza, Principal, presided. Joyce D’Souza thanked.2011 was the international year of chemistry.