Date:24/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/24/stories/2006032418860500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Science careers opening up for girls

Staff Reporter

Women scientists walk students through challenges and opportunities in the field

TALKING SCIENCE: Women scientists interact with school students at a workshop organised by the Science City, Chennai on Thursday. A.M. Raman, Vice-chairman of Science City is seen at right. — Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI: "What is the practical relevance of Einstein's e = mcsquare," a Class IX student asked Aruna Dhattatreyan, CLRI scientist, at a workshop on `Science career for girls — challenges and opportunities' organised here on Thursday.

Ms. Dhattatreyan elaborated the fields in which physicists were in demand. She said the subject had applications in fields such as instrumentation, health tourism and statistics.

"Science is all about several disciplines functioning together. Physicists even work with biologists," she said. The session featuring interaction with women scientists had students coming up with several questions on topics ranging from nanotechnology to software programming.

When a student asked how subjects were likely to be dealt with at the college level, she said: "Oh, your new syllabus is of a higher standard than what I learnt in my B.Sc. Physics. However, at the graduation level, there are more opportunities to experiment and learn."

Kamala Kirthivasan, from the Computer Science department of IIT-Madras, said though computers were blamed for depriving human beings of their jobs, they also created job opportunities. "There is a requirement for computers in every field. See what interests you most and choose that," she said.

She asked students not to worry about having studied in the vernacular medium. "You can adapt to any environment in about two weeks. Just give your best to whatever you do," she said.

Madras University's deputy librarian R. Ambuja said there was no need for students to be wary of science.

"You already know most of it as it is part of our daily lives. You have to merely identify them with concepts," she said. The university would help students in the choice of career or courses for higher studies, she said.

Organised by Science City, an autonomous organisation of the State government, the event was aimed at giving students of government and corporation schools exposure to various developments in academia.

Over 180 students from 15 corporation and government schools attended Friday's seminar held at the planetarium.

"We are planning to hold such seminars on a regular basis," said J. Devasenapathy, scientific officer, Science City.