by Bridgette Komatep – EM TV, Port Moresby
Minister for Higher Education Research Science and Technology, Malakai Tabar, has called for more maths and science teachers in the country.
He raised this concern at the recent University of Goroka graduation which recorded only 29% of maths and science graduates from last year’s batch.
Minister Tabar encouraged students to take up more studies in the field of research and science technology.
Similar sentiments were shared by the outgoing Director of National Research Institute, Dr Thomas Webster, in an interview with EMTV.
At the recent UOG Graduation, Minister Tabar announced that the number of students taking up courses with Mathematics A have declined drastically since 2010.
Intakes of maths and science students have dropped from 57% in 2010 to 27% in 2013.
He added that the O’Neill – Dion government has identified the need for more research in the country.
Through the Secretariat of PNG Science & Technology, K70,000 was given to University of Goroka to support its Mushroom project with hopes that findings may lead to medical breakthroughs in the country.
This is only one of the many funded research undertaken by the Secretariat to encourage more research in the country.
In a recent interview with EM TV, National Research Institute’s outgoing Director, Dr Thomas Webster, reiterated the importance of supporting more researchers as they are limited or non –existent.
He said many researches may improve national policies and guidelines that can subsequently improve good governance among others.
