In age of job-linked courses,pure science gets new life

This bunch of students,who underwent a residential workshop from May 18 to 23 in Garware College,will be trained for various International Olympiads. The aim is to develop in them a larger interest in fundamental sciences and a scientific temperament. The workshop was conducted by the two institutes with the help of Maharashtra Education Society this week. Coordinator of the workshop Yashodhan Kale said, “The aim is also to make students aware of various career options in fundamental science.”

The process of selection was phased out. In July 2008,the MKCL announced the first screening process by way of an online exam – NET (Nurturing Excellence and Talent) – for 12,000 students. The second stage came after three months when some 700 were short-listed for the third and final level,where 35 of the best talent were picked for grooming.

Sambhaji,who had come from a village in Kolhapur,said,“Initially,I was nervous as I am from a Marathi medium school. But in six days I developed confidence.”

Sanskiti,a student of a city school,said she realised that students from rural areas hardly had any facilities. “This realisation is also a kind of education,” said Kale.