Promoting science education, activities must: Rohullah

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Workshop on Astrophysics

The Minister for Science and Technology, Agha Syed Rohullah, on Tuesday called for close coordination between the University of Kashmir and the state’s Department of Science and Technology to promote science activities in schools, colleges and universities.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the 4-day workshop on “Advances in Astronomy and Astrophysics” at KU, Rohulla said, “The KU and state DST can together work in promoting science education and activities in educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Rohulla, who was the chief guest, said the Ministry of Science and Technology was ready to fund different projects and activities of Kashmir University. “The Ministry intends to serve the state in a better way. The KU Department of Physics asked me for more funds for its activities, projects and holding seminars. I assure that the Ministry will provide adequate funding to the department. We are also ready to pay Rs 2.50 lakh for the department for raising necessary infrastructure for its upcoming Observatory at Gulmarg,” he said. The minister also announced raising the financial support from for organising national workshops from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lacks and for international conferences from 50,000 to 2 lac. The minister also promised providing funds for projects including finical support for KUs Gulmarg Observatory .

The workshop is being organised by the varsity’s Department of Physics in association with the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune.

The Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, described science as a fascinating subject. “I urge the youngsters to take up different fields of science for research and study,” he said. He dwelt at length over different fields of study like Civil Services, Science and Engineering. “All students need is a proper vision of what they are aspiring for. Science is a fascinating subject and holds relevance every time,” Ganai, who was the guest of honour, said. Science and technology have witnessed a sweeping change during the last four decades and that there is a paradigm shift in the way science and technology has entered the lives of common man, he added.

The KU registrar, Prof S Fayyaz Ahmad, said the varsity was committed to promote science education and research. “We want that our teaching-learning process ultimately benefits our society. That is what we aim at. And such workshops and conferences are an attempt in that direction,” he said while welcoming delegates and participants to the Workshop.

Mr Tarun Suri from IUCAA highlighted the achievements and contributions of the organization in promoting science research in different universities of India.

In his keynote address, the Head, Department of Physics, Prof Farooq Ahmad, said the biggest challenge before the researchers in Astronomy was the existence of “dark matter and dark energy.” “And anyone who puts an end to this mystery will certainly bag a Nobel Prize,” he said. Prof Farooq said the Department was ready to start an Observatory at Gulmarg. “I am happy to inform you that our research papers have been published in reputable journals in different parts of the world,” he said. Dr Farooq said that the aim of this workshop is to inspire and update young teachers, research scholars and M. Sc. students about the front-line areas of research in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Prof Farooq added that said the workshop will cover several current topics in Astrophysics like: Cosmology (N-body simulations, Cosmic Microwave background radiation etc), Galaxy formation, X-ray emission from black hole systems and Astronomy instrumentation. In his welcome address, senior faculty member and Organising Secretary of the workshop, Dr Manzoor Ahmad Malik, highlighted the aims and objectives of the workshop. Dr Malik emphasised the need to conduct such workshops particularly at a time when we are beginning to get answers to some of the most mysterious questions about the universe. Others who spoke on the occasion included the Director, KU’s Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Prof. Mushtaq Ahmad Qureshi.

Some of the leading researchers from premier research institutes of India like IUCAA, HRI, CTP are participating in the workshop besides ninety scientists, college and university teachers, research scholars and students.