IMPHAL, May 3: A mathematics and science communication workshop/seminar for media persons was organized by the Vigyan Prasar and National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India at the Manipur Press Club here today.
Delivering the keynote address at the occasion, Huidrom Jayantkumar Singh, Former Head of Department of Mathematics, DM College of Science and President of the Manipur Mathematical Society said Mathematics teaching has been reduced to “does” and “don’t” s without letting the students grasp a fuller understanding of the concepts.
He bemoaned that the faulty approach to teaching mathematics by focusing on problem-solving was responsible for the maths phobia being suffered by students.
The media workshop is a part of the series being organized across the country by Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous of the Ministry of Science and Technology and NCSTC, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It is part of the activities of the National Mathematics Year (2012-13) being observed to mark the great mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan’s 125th birth anniversary.
Giving his introductory remarks, Dr Subodh Mahanti, Senior Scientists Vigyan Prasar said the idea behind the workshops was to highlight the importance of mathematics in understanding the secrets of nature and solving practical problems, and to make people aware of India’s mathematical heritage.
“Mathematics is used as a universal language and tool for any quantitative research in all the sciences. Fundamental mathematical questions also arise out of these research topics. And so we see the emergence of disciplines like mathematical biology, mathematical ecology, mathematical geography, mathematical physics, etc, “ Dr Mahanti pointed out.
Dr Mohanti said that during 2013, a number of activities are being proposed to be undertaken under a wide umbrella of initiatives called the International Year of Mathematics of the Planet Earth (MPE-2013).
During the occasion, Nimish Kapoor, Scientist with the Vigyan Prasar said that besides producing films and radio programs, publishing books on popular science topics, Vigyan Prasar has set up a network of science clubs across the country and was involved in science and mathematics popularization among school students and the common people. Science writers and journalists should use simple language and avoid jargons when writing for lay audiences, he on to say.
Others who spoke at the occasion included Surendra Nath Singh, Director Manipur Science and Technology Council (MASTEC); Prof Roop Chandra Singh, Head Department of Biochemistry, Manipur University; and G Tomba Sharma, well known science writer and Former Principal DM College of Science.