Highlighting the lack of societal trust as a matter of grave concern for scientists, Governor P. Sathasivam has called for a smoother flow of scientific knowledge to society.
Addressing a function held here on Monday to confer the fellowships of the Kerala Academy of Sciences, he said there was a general lack of awareness about scientific progress because high-end science was not reaching people. This caused a fear of science that, in turn, affected people’s trust in science, he added.
Mr. Sathasivam reminded scientists and science communicators of their duty to ensure that results of scientific research reached people in the simplest form. “Articles printed in popular magazines may not benefit the researcher academically, since his or her aim would be to publish in peer-reviewed journals. But considering their obligation to society, they should think of reaching out to people through other means also,” he said.
Research journal
Mr. Sathasivam requested the scientific fraternity to help universities in the State establish at least one scientific research journal with the desired impact factor.
He also stressed the need to improve diagnostic facilities for unknown, emerging, and re-emerging diseases and promote translational research in different areas.
The fellowship was conferred on Suresh Das, executive vice-president, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment; M. Chandra Dathan, scientific adviser to the Chief Minister, and M. Radhakrishna Pillai, Director, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology.
KAS president G.M. Nair and general secretary K.B. Ramesh Kumar addressed the gathering.
