National Centre for Science Communicators

The National Centre for Science Communicators (NCSC) is a pulsating science communication organisation with national and international reach. It’s members include science communicators from varied fields of communication - print media, television, radio, science centres etc.

The NCSC was established in January 1997 with a view to develop science communication in India. The centre provides opportunities for science communicators to explore and express their talents and creativity for better understanding of science and recognises such talent. Presently, the membership strength of NCSC is over two hundred individuals spread across the country.

One of the most dynamic campaigns of NCSC is its intensive interaction with the teaching community, to inculcate excitement regarding science education and scientific method of knowledge transfer.

The NCSC has been conducting science journalism courses in Marathi and English languages.

The NCSC has published a national directory of science communicators and a directory of science propagating organisations for easy access to information regarding science communication.

Conferences hosted by the NCSC

• The NCSC hosted its first international conference of science communicators at IUCAA in Pune in January 2000, the theme being “Public Understanding of Science”. Around 210 science communicators from across the world attended the event.

• The second international conference was organised at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai to felicitate and honor renowned astrophysicist and science communicator Prof. Jayant Narlikar, in July 2003. The theme of the conference, was “Man and the Universe”.

• The third international conference was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in April 2005; the theme being “Science Communication in Developing Countries”.

• In October 2005, the NCSC organised a national seminar on “Expanding Horizons of School Science Education” at the Labour India Complex, Marangattupilly, Kottayam, Kerala.

• In November 2006 a National Conference – Vision 2026 – Challenges in Science Communication, was organised at the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi. The conference was held in order to celebrate and felicitate Prof.Yash Pal, a renowned scientist and a science communicator, on his 80th birthday . The conference was inaugurated by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, President of India .

• In September 2007 in association with Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, TIFR,Mumbai a National Conference on Science Education - Challenges of Quality was organised in honor of Prof. B.M.Udgaonkar, eminent scientist and educationist on the occasion of his 80th Birthday at V.G.Kulkarni Auditorium at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education. V.N. Purav Marg, Mankhurd, Mumbai 400088

• In December 2008 in association with Vigyan Prasar, Delhi a National Conference on National Agenda - Problems and Solutions was organised in honor of Dr. P.M. Bhargava, eminent scientist and founder of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad and the architect of modern biology and biotechnology in India on his completion of 80 years at the Auditorium of the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad- 500007

Advisory Committee for the National Conference of Science Communicators

• Prof Yash Pal, renowned scientist and science communicator
• Dr. R.Chidambaram, former Chairman DAE
• Dr. M.M.Sharma, former Director UDCT, Mumbai
• Dr. Mrs. Manju Sharma, former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology Ministry of Science and Technology
• Dr. Krishnaswami Kasturirangan, former Chairman Indian Space Research Organisation
• Dr.Vasant Gowariker, former director of VSSC and former Secretary, Department of Science and Technology
• Dr. Jayant Narlikar,Chairman, IUSC
• Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, former Director General, CSIR India
• Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, DAE
• Dr. V.S. Venkatvardan, former Director,Nehru Planetarium,Mumbai,Nehru Planetarium, Mumbai

Suhas B.Naik-Satam

General Secretary

National Centre For Science Communicators

Vidnyan Bhavan, V.N. Purav Marg

Sion-Chunabhatti, Mumbai 400022

External links

• www.ncsc.in
• [1] Indian Science Communication Society