(openPR) - When two institutions join hands for a mission with passion, there are no dreams too large, no innovation unimaginable and no frontiers beyond reach.

Established in 1978 to popularize Science, the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Kolkata has so far successfully developed over 25 museums and science centers across India and it has plans to set up a Science Centre in each district headquarters of India.

The Birla Institute of Technology and Science popularly known as BITS has campuses in Pilani Rajasthan, Dubai, Goa and Hyderabad. Recently the National Assessment and Accreditation Council NAAC reaccredited BITS with 3.71 CGPA out of 4 and awarded “A” grade “Very Good” status to BITS.

BITS, Pilani Rajasthan which has pioneered many educational innovations has been committed to cooperative education philosophy of work integrated learning for addressing the Human Resource Development issues of the Industry as well as Society at large.

It is in this context BITS, Pilani and NCSM Kolkata joined hands in July 2005 to offer a two year MS in Science Communication degree program. The MS degree has three semesters of course work with four courses in each semester and the fourth semester earmarked for dissertation work.

The curriculum includes courses such as History of Science & Technology, Concepts in Science Communication, Technical Communication, Museum Planning & Organization, Exhibits and Presentation, Science Communication & IT, Museum Management & Operations, Science Learning in Non-formal settings, Science & Society apart from three courses in Professional Skills & Techniques.

The participation of experts from Smithsonian Institution USA for delivering lectures and the support extended by Indo US Science and Technology Forum are other highlights of this unique degree program. The first batch of 10 candidates graduated in July 2007 and received their degrees in December 2007.

On April 10, 2009, in a colourful function organized at NCSM Kolkata, the second batch of 9 candidates who successfully completed the program in January 2009 received their final degree certificates from Prof LK Maheshwari Vice Chancellor BITS Pilani. In his speech Prof Maheshwari highlighted the role of ICT as well as Hyper Networked Platform Web 2.0 in Science Communication and spoke about Public Library of Science (PLOS) including web based journal PLOS One which accepts completed manuscripts and the highly reputed journal Nature’s site Nature Precedings where scientists can submit pre public data etc in the form of presentations, posters, etc.

The other dignitaries who addressed the gathering included Dr BR Natarajan Dean Work Integrated Learning Programmes BITS Pilani, Smt Deepawati Sen Chairperson Executive Committee CRTL, Prof Bikash Sinha Director Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics and Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre Kolkata, Shri Jawhar Sircar, Secretary Government of India Ministry of Culture.

Shri GS Rautela Director General NCSM welcomed the gathering and Dr Jayanta Sthanapati Deputy Director General NCSM proposed the vote of thanks while Mr SK Ray Director CRTL was the Master of the Ceremony

The other luminaries present for the function included Directors and senior officers from various Science Museums across the country, Dr Saroj Ghose former DG NCSM who had spearheaded the Science Museum movement in India and Prof HS Jabbal Coordinator BITS Off Campus Centre Kolkata who had successfully steered the program to completion in time to budget and specification.

It is indeed a matter of pride that alumnus of this program are already in lead positions at Science City and BITM Kolkata. The comments by the Parliamentary Standing Committee for the Ministry of Culture appreciating the collaborative efforts of BITS Pilani and NCSM Kolkata for popularizing science and technology through this program is indeed a jewel in the crown for the work integrated learning programs of BITS Pilani which is one among the top ranking universities in India today.

About BITS Pilani: The Birla Institute of Technology and Science Website www.bits-pilani.ac.in is a Deemed University established under section 3 of the UGC Act. 1956 under notification no. F.12-23/63.U-2 dated 18th June, 1964.

Dr BR Natarajan
Professor & Vice President BITSAA
BITS Pilani Rajasthan 333031 India
Phone 91-1596-242210
Fax 91-1596-244183
Email brnt@bits-pilani.ac.in
Website: www.bits-pilani.ac.in