Bengaluru: Only 51 per cent of Americans, 28 per cent of Japanese, 30 per cent of Indians, and 27 per cent of Chinese are aware that electrons are smaller than atoms!
This shocking science and engineering indicator compiled by the US National Science Foundation in 2014, reminding the appalling levels of science literacy in some of the world’s largest countries, was shared by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chairman and managing director of Biocon on Monday.
She was delivering the annual convocation address at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) here on: ‘Academia must inspire society through science.’
Terming it alarming, the pioneering woman entrepreneur said it was dangerous for the public to remain ignorant about burning issues like global warming, plastic pollution and water shortage.
“We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology,” she quoted American cosmologist Carl Sagan’s famous statement of 1990. “Sadly, not much has changed in the intervening three decades,” Kiran Mazumdar added.
Competitive edge
She cautioned that India would lose its competitive edge if science literacy continued to remain low and hoped that the scientists would emerge from the ivory towers.
“Scientists must engage society in a meaningful dialogue about the issues that confront our species, our planet, and our ideals. Your scientific jobs do not end with discovery, application, or transfer of knowledge but in communicating and inspiring the beneficiaries of your findings through impactful narratives,” she said.
Saying that science is not just a body of knowledge, but a method of critical thinking, Kiran Mazumdar wanted Indian scientists to facilitate and stimulate dialogue to educate ordinary citizens as they were not equipped with the tools to counter the growing threat of pseudoscience.
“All too often, scientists are perceived as elitists ensconced in their ivory towers. However, in today’s complex world of social media, the engagement of scientists with the public is more crucial than ever. By breaking down knowledge barriers, you can ensure that society supports scientific pursuit and that public funds are effectively used to further scientific advancement in a way that benefits society,” she said.
Impact of new tech
Reminding that we need to change the world with the help of science and technology, Kiran Mazumdar said the birth of new technologies would fundamentally alter the way we lived, worked, and related to one another.
“The scale, scope, and complexity of the transformation is unlikely to be like anything humankind has experienced before. Some people have expressed worries that AI will destroy jobs. However, history has proven that while new technology does indeed eliminate jobs, it also creates new and better jobs to replace them,” she said.
ISRO, an inspiration
In a pat for the Indian Space Research Organsiation (ISRO), Kiran Mazumdar said despite modest budget, space scientists had always inspired.
“Even today, ISRO has a budget which is a tenth of NASA, yet it has propelled India into a leadership position in space research. Indian scientists have also made substantial contribution to the field of gravitational astronomy,” she said.
Urging IISc to lead the charge to inspire society, Kiran Mazumdar asked scientists to go out of laboratories and connect with society.
“ISRO has inspired society through satellites that ‘reach out for the stars’ and Mangalyan that made it to Mars. These achievements have enabled our government to invest more in space research with huge public endorsement. IISc must create the magic of science in schools through outreach programmes so that we encourage more and more students to purse science,” she said.
