Group makes case for women’s involvement in science

Worried by the decline in enrolment of girls in sciencerelated disciplines, the Organisation of Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), the University of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter has risen to the challenges of reversing the trend. Towards achieving the laudable aim, the organisation at a one-day seminar oragnised at the Banquet Hall of the institution, tagged: “Science is Fun and Innovative,” raised further concern and the need to urgently address the issue without further delay. Setting the tone of the talkshop, Dr. Edith Odia, a lecturer at the Business Administration Department of the university, said the seminar was borne out the associations desire to encourage female participation and study of science, technology and other science-related disciplines. In her lecture entitled: “Career Prospect in Science,” Prof F.E Eiche of Pharmaceutical Technology Department declared that there were several career opportunities available to women or girls in sciencerelated fields. She noted that the age-long notion that science was difficult, with the problem of inadequate learning materials, poor motivation, quality of teachers, and dearth of libraries in schools were responsible for the decline.

Therefore, the don called on the government to properly fund the teaching of science in schools, stressing that no nation could develop without adequate investment in science. Meanwhile, Dr. Dele Alice of Plant Biology and Biotechnology Department, whose lecture dwelt on “The Bane of Examination Malpractice,” however, encouraged girls to shun examination malpractice and other anti-social behaviour which she warned that the effects could be detrimental to their progress, development and survival. She admonished them: “You must build integrity. Nothing should be seen as too difficult. Examination malpractice has done more harm than good to students and so you are advised in your own interest to shun it. I want to say that even if you get away with it in secondary school; you will never have your way in the university system. If you are caught cheating, you risk being expelled from the university and which could lead to the termination of one’s life aspirations.” The seminar was attended by secondary school girls from Ugbowo and Benin City.