Science Talent Development Program for Manipuri Students
@
Indian Institute Science (IISc), Bangalore-560012

SIGMA (A Manipuri Students Society @ IISc) *

Group picture of the students @ CENSe along with fellow IIScians from Manipur

A 5-day long science camp was organized at the new Indian Institute of Science (IISc) campus, Challakerel, Bangalore exclusively for the students of Manipur as a part of SCIENCE TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM in association with Directorate of Science and Technology, Government of Manipur with the aim of installing scientific temperament especially basic science in the young minds.

The camp which started on 3rd November was participated by about 60 students, both boys and girls from various schools of Manipur who are currently at their XI and XII standard. The camp brought about a series of lectures and demonstrations by various eminent scientists and professors of IISc in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics followed by interactive sessions and hands-on involvement of students in exquisite scientific experiments under the guidance of members of TDC (Talent Development Center), IISc.

Fellow research scholars from Manipur in IISc also rendered selfless service by assisting the students in every activities pertaining to the camp.

The science meet was concluded on the 7th of November with lab visits at various departments of IISc such as Undergraduate Labs, Biological Science, Center for Nano-Science and Engineering, Supercomputer Education and Research Centre etc., where students had the chance to further interact with research scholars and got an exposure to cutting edge research activities conducted in their labs.

A fellow Manipuri research scholar @ IISc guiding the students during one of their experiments @TDC, IISc

While the students indulged with the prevailing scientific atmosphere in IISc performing self-experiments and motivated by eminent scientists, the parents on the other-hand who accompanied their children from such a far off place without much prior information about IISc shared the sheer joy of witnessing their children taking part in such scientific ventures and expressed a deep sense of appreciation, and also hinted their anticipation for future support from the concerned authorities including the state government on such endeavors.

"We Manipuris are mostly known for our unique culture and have celebrated our achievement in the arena of arts and sports but hardly recognized for any educational contributions specially in science and technology.

Keeping this in mind, I along with the convener of TDC-IISc, Prof. M.S. Hegde initiated this program to promote the advancement of our future scientific community”, says Dr. Ksh. Jugeshwar Singh, coordinator of the program who has post-doctoral experienced from The United States and France and also an alumni of IISc.

On a further note he also infers that, "given the right facilities and right opportunities, these youngsters have the potential to compete at the national and international levels".