BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The presence of science centres is something that is highly valued by any community and can transform the landscape of the society in many ways; be it physically, socially, educationally or culturally. According to the Minister of Education, the science centres undeniably serve as educational resources for primary and secondary students and also as a destination for the greater community,©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Awg Abu Bakar Hj Apong made the remarks during the Opening Ceremony of the 14th Annual Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres conference (ASPAC) 2014 yesterday.
The minister said science literacy can stimulate a knowledge-based society, promote sustainable development and foster innovation and creativity.
The annual conference serves as an avenue for science educators, learners, science centres and policy makers to meet. For the first time ever, a nationwide science outreach initiative to schools will be conducted by overseas ASPAC members in all four districts, involving almost two thousand students and teachers from over one hundred and sixty schools.
An expert from the United States, Dr Emlyn Koster in his keynote speech stated that societal progress and environmental stewardship are the world’s most pressing needs, but that these also stimulate opportunities for science-driven innovation.
The Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC) is hosting the ASPAC 2014 with the theme ‘Building a Community Through Science’. ASPAC 2014 is sponsored by Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) Company Sendirian Berhad and supported by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Development (MoD), and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and Institute Technology Brunei (ITB).