Students Urged To Pursue STEM Subjects

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, is encouraging more Jamaican students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

This, he said, is important, as the Government continues to focus on science and innovation as an integral part of national development.

“We wouldn’t mind that every single student would take those four subjects… I want to see (these) as the subjects that we push for the future. We see science as far out and not affecting us, we have to correct that,” Mr. Paulwell said.

“We want our young people to fully embrace (this) and we are going to have to find a way to incentivise those of you who need it, to get into it. We have to find a way to provide some special scholarships and when you get to university to see how we can get the Students’ Loan Bureau to look at a 100 per cent funding over other subjects. We have to get these subjects as core,” he added.

The Minister was speaking at the opening ceremony of the science in the park expo held on Thursday, November 27, at Emancipation Park in Kingston.

Acting Executive Director, Scientific Research Council (SRC), Hawthorne Watson, said that the country needs more scientists, technologists and innovators.

“We need people, we need more teachers in science and technology and we need more professionals in science and technology,” he noted.

The expo was staged by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, in partnership with the SRC and the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST).

Over 40 booths were mounted showcasing the latest technologies being used in various sectors, including health, education, security, agriculture, communication and transportation. Special emphasis will be placed on careers in science, technology and innovation.

Also on display were the work of local inventors and innovators, who were recently recognised at the Science, Technology and Innovation Awards.

The event formed part of Science and Technology Month activities being celebrated in November.