NSF partners with Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO to take science to community

UNESCO Sri Lanka National Commission Secretary General Dr. Punchi Nilame Meegaswatte and UNESCO Sri Lanka National Commission Deputy Secretary General Ashwini Madanayake visited the National Science Foundation (NSF) on 25 February with a view to forge collaborative programs to take science to the community and promote science education in the country.

NSF Chairman Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, after extending a warm welcome, underscored the importance of taking science to the community and creating interest among children in science education. He further emphasised some possible mechanisms which could be employed to take science to the community. 

The most effective method could be the use of a mobile lab (e.g. science bus) equipped with necessary basic scientific equipment and some trained staff to offer hands-on experience to children in rural areas on scientific concepts, phenomena, etc. 

Furthermore, he discussed the importance of having a Technopark at the provincial level, probably associated with universities, to educate the community and evoke interest in scientific thinking. The need for a special media program and community radio targeting the general public on science education was also highlighted. UNESCO Sri Lanka National Commission Secretary General Dr. Punchi Nilame Meegaswatte agreed completely with the proposed programs related to science popularisation and stated that he was keen to support these programs considering their national importance. NSF Additional Director Dr. Thmara Dias and NSF Working Committee on Science Popularisation Chairman Dr. Jayantha Wattevidanage were also were present at the meeting.