My trip to Seoul, Korea Part 5: The Challenges

17 November 2007

The programmes on the 2nd day of the conference was filled-pack with presentations. The topic for today session is - Science Education for Youth. A topic that I am passionate about. When talking about 'science' in Brunei - how far have we gone to promote science amongst our community? Honestly, when comparing us with the rest of the world we are 'quiet' far behind. Even though our education system is the best compare to some countries but we have not yet reach the same stage or level in creating successful scientists, researchers, engineers, etc. Countries such as South Korea, Japan, Malaysia & Singapore have yield a successful result developing science-human resources. Look at Malaysia - they got their first astronaut/cosmonaut. But for us...who knows when!.....

Statistically, there's a diminishing interest among young people in taking science courses or going into scientific or technical fields. This trend is resulting in low quality and quantity of science-human resources, and it could eventually result in declining of a society-wide level of science literacy. This issue was also iterated by Brunei Darussalam, Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Hamdillah Hj. Abd Wahab during the opening of Universiti Brunei Darussalam's 4th Science and Technology Week on 27 June 2007.

In his speech he mentioned that the shortage of students going for science and mathematics will deal a blow to Brunei's bid to acheive a more diversified and knowledge-based economy.

What is the role of Science Centre in promoting science?

In the key not speech by Dr. Doe Sun Na, President of Korea Science Foundation, I quote "The most important strategy for the popularization of science is strong science education in grade schools. In addition, we need to include extracurricular experience-based education, and continuing education, based in Science Centres"

The role of Science centres in popularization sciences culture cannot be taken lightly. Science Centres complement the existing education system through the Hands-on and minds-on concept.

3 importance facts about Science Centres:

i) Science centres connect people with Science.
ii) Science centres provide firsthand experience.
iii) Science centre encourage curiosity.


Day 2 - Programmes. Session 3: Science Education for Youth

- Key Lecture: Issues and problems of Science Education and Gifted Education in Science in Korea by Prof. Hye-Ae Seo, Dept. of Science Education, Gyeongsang National Univerisity, Korea

- Science Education for Youth: How to Implement the Cognitive Domain, Effective Domain and Psychomoter Domain through the Learning Activities at Science Centre for Education, Thailand by Mrs Orawan Chanapolagrai, Office of the

- Non-Formal Education Commission, Ministry of Education, Thailand
Human Resources in Science & Technology and Science Edcuation by Prof. Hyea Sook Ryoo

heheheheh....the highest recognition I ever wanted with out taking my PHD.

(From Left) Mr Chee-kuen Yip, Chief Curator, Macao Science Centre, your greatness, Mr Yoslan Nur, UNESCO. (When Yoslan first wrote to me - inviting for the conference, he wrote Yang Bermulia Iskandar..hehehehehe. He is an indonesian, living in Paris for the past 15 years)

Dr. Noor Mohammed Butt, Chairman of Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) - delivering his presentation on Fostering role of Science Culture in Knowledge-based Society: Science Popoularization in Pakistan

Dr. Noor Mohammed Butt is one of Pakistan Think-Tank in popularization of Science and a good friend of our ex-minister of Education.

Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, Executive Director, Centre for Mass Education in Science. Delivering his presentation in People's Science Movement in Bangladesh. Dr Muhammad Ibrahim is also a Physic professional in Bangladesh University. An interesting facts - two of his brothers are Nobel laureate winners.