Pics: Akshay
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Nov 12: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is set to host Inspire Junior, a highlight of MAHE Research Day 2024, aimed at sparking scientific curiosity among young minds. The event will be held at KMC Greens, Manipal, on November 15 and 16.
Inspire Junior is a special program designed for students in grades 8 to 12 and their parents, offering a unique insight into the world of research and innovation. This two-day event aims to inspire students and provide families with an understanding of the opportunities in science and technology.
Dr H S Ballal, pro chancellor of MAHE, addressing the media during a press conference on November 12, emphasized the event’s importance, saying, “The event is organized for both students and parents, as parents in India play a major role in deciding their children's careers. Various courses offered by different departments in MAHE will be showcased. Creation is more important than just imparting education, and we prioritize research for the creation of new knowledge. Inspire Junior is an extraordinary initiative aimed at igniting a passion for discovery among young students. It shows them the vast possibilities in science and helps them envision a future where they can make meaningful contributions to society. At Inspire Junior, students have a chance to step into the world of research, not just as spectators but as active participants in a hands-on environment. It's an opportunity for students to learn, engage, and see what a future in science could look like."
Dr Sharath Rao, pro vice chancellor (health sciences), added, "Students nowadays often choose engineering and medical fields, but there are many other courses they are unaware of. This initiative aims to bring awareness about various courses and their benefits. A similar initiative was conducted in June and July and was very successful, so this time we have expanded it to include all students in Udupi district.”
Dr Sharath Rao continued, “Inspire Junior nurtures the next generation of learners by exposing them to various academic fields. Alongside hands-on scientific activities, students and parents can explore stalls representing MAHE's wide academic offerings, including commerce, communication, technical studies, liberal arts, humanities, law, management, media studies, design, psychology, social sciences, and hospitality. We encourage all attendees to visit these stalls and gain a comprehensive understanding of the educational paths available at MAHE. Through interactive experiments, lab tours, and engagement with our faculty, we aim to create an environment where students feel inspired to pursue their passions across all disciplines."
The Inspire Junior experience features activities designed to make science engaging for young learners, including interactive exhibits, competitive quizzes, and ideation challenges. These activities encourage students to test their knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving skills. By meeting MAHE researchers and learning about their work, students can envision a future in science and begin their journey of exploration and innovation.
Inspire Junior is part of the larger MAHE Research Day 2024, which includes ‘Collaborate,’ an interdisciplinary research expo, and ‘Enrich,’ showcasing MAHE’s premier research resources and infrastructure. These programs support professional collaboration and resource sharing, enhancing the university's research culture.
The event expects to draw around 5,000 students and will feature 200 stalls. Students will have the opportunity to visit the stalls and have their queries answered. The event is open to participants from other institutions as well.
MAHE has extended invitation to students from grades 8 to 12, along with their parents and teachers, to participate in Inspire Junior and discover the possibilities within science and research.
The press meet was attended by Dr B S Sathish Rao, director of Manipal School of Life Sciences; Dr Naveen Salins, associate dean, professor and head of the department of palliative medicine and supportive care; Dr Vinod Chandrakanth Nayak, professor, department of forensic medicine; Dr Chytra Rao, additional professor, department of community medicine, and others.