Toco Science Week

Address by 
Mrs. Michelle Mischier-Boyd, 
Advisor, Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education

The Launch of NIHERST Community Science Week, 
Toco Composite School, 
Tuesday June 24th 2003.

"I am delighted to be here in Toco this morning to represent the Minister and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education’s continued support for initiatives that take Science, Technology and Tertiary Education to the doorstep of communities that span the length and breadth of our country; from Roxborough to Toco, and from Los Iros to Mayaro.

The world has just entered the 21st Century and a new millennium. The last century was one of remarkable scientific achievement. Just recently in the month of April the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of what has been described, as the single scientific break-through that will have the greatest impact - that is, the discovery of the structure of DNA - the molecule of life. The discovery of the structure of DNA has laid the foundation for modern bioscience and opened the door to many advances we are now witnessing in medicine and pharmaceuticals. The world of science and technology is advancing and we as a people need to tap into what is taking place in that arena. We therefore need to place greater emphasis on innovation, and the widespread use of existing technology and it’s applicability to give us a competitive edge.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) have always played a key role in man's progress. Science and Technology innovation and advancement continues to influence economic growth notably manifested in improvements in peoples' standard of living and quality of life. 

Trinidad and Tobago has aspirations to become a developed country by 2020 through the creation of a knowledge-based economy and a highly trained and adaptive workforce. This would ensure growth with equity and a better quality of life for our children, grandchildren and their children.

The realisation of this vision calls for a scientifically literate and creative population that can expand existing knowledge through their research and innovations, and use advances in technology to improve work and living. 

A key component to the outworking of this vision is the establishment of the University of Trinidad and Tobago in the Wallerfield area whose focus will be Science and Technology. 

At the heart of the gap between “developed" and “developing” countries is a tremendous divide in Science, Technology and Innovation, which is in larger terms, a cultural gap.

Science, Technology and Innovation form an integral part of the culture of “developed” countries where the social values and attitudes support curiosity, inquiry, the thirst for knowledge, and the pursuit of material advancement. 

However, for most peoples in “developing” countries science and technology is generally perceived to be the domain of the "best and the brightest". For the average citizen, Science, Technology and Innovation do not connect to their understanding of their environment or provide a means of advancing their social and economic conditions. Most people benefit from utilizing a mobile phone, but are hard pressed to utilize available technology to make their work out-put more productive.

It was not too long ago that the only channels accessible in Toco would have been Channel 2 and 6. Today there are those who through Direct TV and cable are tuned on to HBO and BBC. 

The continued challenge in addressing the nation’s sci-tech void lies in creating a culture where the application of science and technology not only seen relevant to scientists, but to the average citizen. This is what NIHERST is seeking to accomplish.

One finds that at all levels of our educational system, students are scared of math and science. There is a poor uptake of these subjects. Over 70% of school leavers enter the job market with no literacy in science and technology. In other words a large percentage of our young adults have little preparation for taking advantage of a technologically advanced working and social environment in the 21st century. 

Our human resource capacity as it stands now is far below our competitors at less than a half percent (0.5%) of the workforce being knowledge workers in the science and technology sector. 

The Ministry plans to embark on an expanded thrust in science popularisation, as well as formal science education. Science popularisation is critical to demystify science and technology and relate it to our actual environment. We want to encourage young people to be creative, and motivate them to aspire to careers in science and engineering. Science popularisation is critical for ordinary citizens to understand the jargon of scientists, share their perspectives, hold scientists accountable for their research, as well as develop the grassroot inventive spirit to its fullest potential. 

To meet the challenge of attaining greater reach and impact in science popularisation, particularly where Tobago and rural communities are concerned, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education has continued to lend support to NIHERST on its series of community science weeks. 

The above initiatives are to be anchored in a National Policy for Science, Technology and Innovation. A draft of this policy has already been developed and includes an integrated national system for Human Resource Development, Research and Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

Ladies and gentlemen, there is a need for more efforts like the NIHERST Community Science Week, which can serve as new vehicles to take science and technology learning to the grassroots from Scarborough to TOCO, all across Trinidad and to Tobago. This will make global and local science and technology understandable to all persons; and help constituents to better grasp concepts, processes and issues through stimulating experimentation, workshops and exhibitions. 

Additionally, a more direct relationship between scientists and the community would do a lot to break down the sense of scientists being a breed apart and remove the mystery and distrust that exists. 

Investing in research and science is a key issue in creating the sort of world we want to live in. We need excellent science to satisfy our human curiosity about how the world works; to understand the natural processes, to develop our economy in sustainable ways that will bring new prosperity and new opportunities. 

I extend best wishes from the Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education Senator Danny Montano and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Jennifer Sampson, to community of Toco, and I congratulate the team at NIHERST for the hard work they have put into this initiative. 

To you the North Coast residents I encourage to take advantage of this opportunity. As questions - ask how - ask why - and then still after they leave continue in the pursuit of life long learning. 

Thank you