M’sia needs more science communicators to engage science with public

KUALA LUMPUR: Local universities have been proposed to produce more professional science communicators to liaise between scientists and the public.

A non- profit organisation, Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre ( Mabic) mooted the idea as the need was imperative to inform the public on current scientific researches and innovation.

Its executive director, Dr A Mahaletchumy said scientists had difficulties to bring their scientific language down and present it to the general public.

“Therefore, science communicators can simplify the message before it goes out to the public,” she told Bernama after appearing as a guest on ‘ The Nation’ talk show aired by Bernama TV here yesterday.

She exemplified Australia, the country that gave high dedication to science communication and literacy, where it was compulsory for every science programme student to take science communication courses.

The sessional lecturer in Monash University’s School of Science said science communicators also needed to be able to engage the media and share the findings for the benefit of the public and nation.

Dr Mahaletchumy, 46, who is a Klang- born biotechnologist, has been listed as the world’s 100 most inf luential people in biotechnology by a special ‘World View’ published by a renowned scientific magazine, Scientific American.

The list was launched at the Bio International Convention in Philadelphia, United States in June.

She is also a trainer with Biotech Corp in its Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Special Training Program, where she visits private and public universities in Malaysia and trains students on biotech development. — Bernama