T&T has shown a 65 per cent decrease in enrolment in science programmes in recent years according to research by the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. This was revealed yesterday by United States Ambassador to T&T, Beatrice Welters during her address at the launch of the United States Embassy Science Corner held at the National Library and Information Systems (Nalis) Port-of-Spain. Welters said both T&T and the United States were concerned about the low enrolments in new admissions to science-related fields. She said the launch of the science corner demonstrated the need to promote scientific study in young people. Welters said the United States was committed to encouraging students to pursue science degrees.
She said in addition to the science corner, three secondary school students had received scholarships from the embassy and would be sent to participate in research projects with US scientists. The science corner at the library, worth over US$50,000, features books, forensic science displays, online databases and multimedia games. Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Winston Peters, who gave the feature address, described the initiative as in line with the Government's thrust to create a society in which inquiring minds were nurtured and creativity was encouraged and rewarded.