Expo held to increase interest of youngsters in chemistry

Six-day Travelling Expo “Its all about Chemistry” started at Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) with the support of France Embassy arranged the Expo to provide a first-hand picture of the role of Chemistry in our daily life to students and general public. The Expo is aimed at increasing the interest of young people in chemistry and to generate enthusiasm for the creative future of chemistry.

PSF Chairman Professor Dr Manzoor Soomro and Consul General of France to Pakistan Christian Ramage jointly inaugurated the exhibition.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Expo, the PSF Chairman highlighted the role of travelling Expos for creating science awareness among the students. He briefed the audience about the PSF activities for promotion and popularisation of science in the country. He emphasised on the need for inquiry-based science education at grass root level and ensured best possible support from PSF to the students and teachers in science popularisation activities.

Consul General of France to Pakistan Christian Ramage appreciated the efforts of PSF and ETN School for promotion of science among the young generation. He said that France was paying special attention to the science education at primary level.

The expo “It’s all about Chemistry” is prepared by Centre Sciences, France and partners and is visiting Pakistan from January to March 2012. The Expo kicked off in Pakistan on January 6, 2012 at Education Trust Nasra School, Korangi, Karachi and continued here till January 13. After Tandojam it will travel to DG Khan, Multan, Lahore, Mansehra, Islamabad, Sibi, Jaffarabad and conclude at Quetta on March 31, 2012. This Expo is a great opportunity for the students and general public to get firsthand knowledge about Chemistry and its applications in our daily life.

The Expo organising body PSF, working under Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, is striving for promotion and popularisation of science in the country through research funding and science awareness programmes. The major exhibition arranged by PSF for science popularisation include four National S&T fairs, four mega Expos namely, S&T Expo 2007 “Shaping the Future” at Islamabad in 2007, International Maths Expo “Experiencing Mathematics” at Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar in 2008, Expo on Environment “The Earth’s Future in Our Hands” at Islamabad, Sukkur and Multan in 2009, Travelling Expo “Biodiversity is Life, Its Our life” at Islamabad, Abbottabad, Faisalabad, Khairpur and Quetta in 2011 and a large number of mobile exhibitions.