Minister Treacy Announces Science, Technology And Innovation Awareness Programme To Continue in 1999

Mr Noel Treacy T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce today (Thursday 31st December, 1998) announced that the Science, Technology and Innovation Awareness Programme, which is managed by Forfás on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology, will continue in 1999. This Programme is aimed at increasing the general public's appreciation of STI and it was originally scheduled to run for a three-year period, to end in 1998.

The highlight of the Programme next year will be the Millennium Science Week Ireland. Minister Treacy said that the recent highly successful Science Week Ireland 1998 clearly demonstrated that there is a public appetite to learn more about science and this is matched by a willingness on the part of the scientific community to feed that appetite.

The announcement comes as a new survey shows that over 90% of top business professionals believe that only by applying the most modern technology will our national economy become more competitive. They also feel that a greater emphasis needs to be placed on the teaching of science and technology subjects in the country's schools. There was also praise for the increasing coverage of Science and Technology in the media over the past three years. 55% of adults said they had noted increased coverage in newspapers and on television in this period.

The survey was commissioned by Forfas as part of the Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Awareness Programme and was conducted among the general public, senior business people and civil servants as well as transition year students. The survey compared the results with a similar survey in 1996, which was carried out at the start of the national Awareness campaign. The evidence of improving attitudes to Science and Technology over a relatively short time is quite encouraging.

Notwithstanding these positive results there are still areas where public awareness and appreciation are cause for concern. There are still many who believe that S&T causes more job losses than gains and has the potential to damage the environment. There is also a wide spread belief that Science and Technology is only carried out by "white coated test-tube wielding nutty professors" suitable only for "brain boxes and swots". An absence of strong role models deters students from linking Science and Technology careers with the taking of S&T subjects at Leaving Cert. level.

Overall, therefore, the research showed that there was a need for clearer definition of the importance of Science & Technology in terms of role models, career opportunities and its impact in the Irish economy. This should be done through the media as the survey showed that radio and television was the strongest source of influence for school children.

According to Minister Treacy, the research confirms the need to continue building public awareness of the role played by science, technology and innovation in our lives. "It clearly points out the need to better define and demonstrate the importance of S&T to everyday life by highlighting successful research in Ireland, demonstrating the new wave of technology-based companies and by identifying role models and accessible career opportunities for students of S&T subjects."

For a copy of the survey or other information contact: Eugene Forde, Forfás Tel: (01) 6073262 Fax: (01) 6073260 E-mail:eugene.forde@forfas.ie

Any Queries on the above on 31/12/98 please Contact Deirdre O'Higgins of this Department at Tel (01) 6312194