Science and
Technology have become an inseparable part of our daily life; hence creation of
scientific awareness has now become the need of hour. The aim of science communication is to engage
and inspire people of all ages with science, engineering and technology. One of
the basic objectives of communicating science is to spread the message of
importance of science and its application among the people. Science communication attempts at generating
scientific minded citizens. Science has contributed a great deal for human
welfare. On issues ranging from environment, disease eradication, space exploration, energy security,
information highway to name a few, science and technology has immensely benefited
mankind. Biotechnology is making a major impact on agriculture, health,
environment, industry and pharmaceuticals. Communication at lower costs, with
greater accessibility, is another product of science and technology. Science
communication helps in inculcating scientific temper among school children. It
gives them opportunity of learning and experiencing science in fun way by
actual participation in various hands on activities. The daily application of
science like the use of safe drinking water, recycling of grey water, taking
balanced diet, knowledge to eradicate contagious disease, the know-how of
various agricultural practices to increase crop production, the usefulness of
biodiversity conservation, etc., should be disseminated to the future
generation. The goal of science journalism is to develop scientific temper and
environmental sensibilities in common people. A dissemination of scientific
facts could be done by any journalist using Wikipedia and other resources. But
shaping the mindset of layperson cannot be achieved without proper training. The following training programmes are
available in India for science journalists.
National Council for Science and Technology Communication
offers a one week course on skill enhancement of promising science writers and
three months course on use of mass media for science popularization. NCSTC and
Indian Science Communication Society (ISCOS), Lucknow has jointly undertaken a
program to train science communicators, writers, and journalists in presenting
scientific information in educating and entertaining manner. ISCOS offers a one year training program in
Science Journalism through Distance
Education mode.
Devi Ahilya University, Indore offers two programs. M.
Sc. and PG Diploma in Science
Communication. They are also planning
to start a doctoral program in Science Communication. PG Diploma in Science
Communication is offered through Distance Education mode. This is a two
semester course.
The Institute of Mass Communication in Science and
Technology, Lucknow University, is also running a similar course – M. Sc Mass
Communication in Science. It is also a two-year full-time regular programme
funded by the NCSTC.
Makhanlal Chaturvedi
National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal has also started a one-year
PG Diploma in Science and Technology Journalism.
Madurai Kamraj
University too offers an NCSTC-funded PG Diploma in Science Communication.
The National Institute of Science Communication and
Information Resources (NISCAIR), CSIR, New Delhi organizes short-term
science-writing training workshops.
Centre for Science Education and Communication Delhi University
is involved in short term training and workshops related with science education
and communication.
National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous
scientific and research organization under Ministry of Culture has also started
a four semester M.S. course in Science Communication from 2005. NCSM’s MS
course is meant for first class engineering graduates and science post graduates.
Course contents include history and philosophy of science, mass communication,
exhibit presentation and museum management. Course also includes the tools of
Science Communication and writing scientific articles. The final content of the
course is a dissertation. This program is conducted in joint collaboration of
NCSM and BITS, Pilani on an off campus mode. The lectures and tutorials are
held at NCSM, Kolkata.
Career
Prospect exists in mainstream media viz., Print (Newspapers, Periodicals, and
House Journals), Broadcast media (Radio & Television) and organizations engaged
in Science and Technology extension and outreach activities like NCSTC, NCSM,
NISCAIR, HBCSE, Vigyanprasar and state councils of Science and Technology etc. Magzines
like Down to earth, Teraagreen, science reporter, Hindu Survey on Environment specialize
in science technology and environment. Science Journalists interested in making
scientific documentary and CD can develop programme for Vigyan Prasar, National
Geographic and Discovery etc. Training in science communication would also
provide opportunities as curators of science museums. At present there are 27
science museums/centres under NCSM. There is proposal of setting district level
science centres. Science centres along with Science and Technology Parks are
great tool of informal education of masses. Large numbers of private sector
companies and corporate houses are also setting up science museums and technology
parks as part of their corporate social responsibility thereby increasing the
demand of science communicators.
