President ECOSF delivers a plenary talk in 36th Pakistan Congress of Zoology at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro- Pakistan - 16-18 Feb 2016
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36th Pakistan Congress of Zoology (International) was held at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan from 16-18 Feb 2016. President ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro joined the 36th Pakistan Congress of Zoology and gave a plenary talk on "Inquiry Based Science Education for S&T Innovation led Economic Development and International Cooperation" on the opening day of the conference. The session was chaired by the President of the Zoological Society of Pakistan, Prof. Dr. A. R. Shakoori.
Dr. Soomro in his talk focused on how Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) methodology for teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at schools, plays a major role to promote and sustain scientific technological development and leadership for economic development. He emphasised that infrastructure, facilities and human resource are essential for a better education and play the crucial role to nurture the scientific and technological innovations. He further said that; especially for the children, learning through inquiry at grass root level will build a habit among pupils to enquire about the science phenomenon and processes, thus inculcating the desire among children to explore the mysteries of nature and harness benefit for the humans.
Realizing the strengths of "inquiry based learning", thinkers and scientists around the globe have been promoting "inquiry based science education (IBSE)" which in turn inculcates innovation among the children. He mentioned the key role of ECOSF is promoting IBSE at primary level in its all the ten Member Countries to move a step forward to ensure a sustainable supply of the future innovators. He further mentioned that ECOSF is promoting international cooperation and encourages the scientists of ECO countries to come forward and benefit from ECOSF initiatives. He also shared with audience, the strategic partnership and collaboration developed so far and invited Pakistani scientists to benefit from those; whoch include; La main a la pate Foundation France, the International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South–South Cooperation under the auspices of UNESCO (ISTIC) Kuala Lumpur, the Science Education Program (SEP) of Inter-Academy Partnership (IAP)- a global network of 130 academies of sciences, engineering and medical.
Prof. Soomro finally concluded his talk by saying that the key to Socio-Economic Development lies in promotion of Inquiry Based Learning at grass root level. He proposed that the zoological society of Pakistan should contribute in training of school teachers in zoological sciences and engage in curricula and teaching activity development for schools. He further proposed to the Zoological Society of Pakistan and for that matter all scientific societies in Pakistan to engage in nurturing and patronizing schools especially in the surroundings of universities. He said, the university students can do a lot in developing teaching tools and activities in real life at schools in their home areas.
Dr. Manzoor Soomro also stressed upon research in to the Quranic verses for acquiring scientific knowledge and learning from the Nature. Finally, he welcomed any zoologists forthcoming to take up the voluntary work for the good of our future generations.