'Science education gaining ground'

For two years, the science education scenario has shown signs of revival with more students opting for basic sciences, thanks to the emerging areas like biotechnlogy and nano-technology.

With measures to popularise science programmes in colleges and universities, more students are taking up BSc and MSc, said Karnataka State Science Forum State Convener Sankanur and JSS College of Arts, Commerce and Science Principal B V Sambashivaiah.

Speaking to Business Standard, Sankanur said that a major factor for more students taking up science courses is the opening up of more job opportunities in science areas.

"New research and science areas like biotechnology and nano-technology are opening up jobs opportunities for science graduates. Universities have started integrated science courses. Even the Karnataka government has relaxed the rule on recruiting science teachers. It has permitted filling up vacancies existing since 1986," he said.

"There is a dearth of science candidates to fill up the posts. If 50 posts are to be filled, we hardly get 30 applications," Sambashivaiah said, underlining the job opportunities available for science professionals. He was confident that the scenario would improve in the next 4-5 years, when more science candidates will come out of the universities, by when the job market will have further expanded for them.

To popularise science, the science forum has launched a statewide quiz and competitive science exhibitions for undergraduate students from this year at a cost of Rs 7 lakh.