UBIC Initiates Efforts to Integrate Biosciences into Uganda's Education System

Uganda Biosciences Information Center (UBIC) is conducting a series of teachers' training workshops this year to create and increase countrywide appreciation of integration of biosciences in the country's formal education system.

The workshops are envisioned as important opportunities for the teachers to get acquainted with the modern agricultural biotechnology work going on at various institutes of National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), and interact with different scientists/experts. It is expected that they will pass on the knowledge to their students and communities.

The workshops will also consolidate the positive impact created by UBIC's flagship annual national biotech essay contests in Uganda's formal education system. Teachers have large audiences in their schools and societies and thus are key potential champions to increase community awareness and appreciation of modern biotechnology. The workshops involve presentations on modern biosciences and biosafety research and development at NARO, tips for effective science communication, lab and field tours and networking sessions.

The latest workshop was attended by teachers from schools countrywide, NARO scientists and guests from Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), and the National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC). Workshop attendees were exposed to the modern agricultural biotech research on-going at NARO. They also had an opportunity to do hands-on experiments in the laboratory to boost their biosciences knowledge and help improve practical science teaching. Discussions addressed pressing concerns on modern ag-biotech.

For more details, send an e-mail to ubic.nacrri@gmail.com.