The Republic's seven universities have introduced a new website encouraging more students to study science. The unique joint initiative is a response to a continued fall in the numbers willing to take science at third level.
The Minister of State with responsibility for science, technology and commerce, Mr Noel Treacy, officially opened the site yesterday at an event in Dublin Castle. It was the result of a three-year effort by the universities, he said, and should be congratulated as an important contribution.
It was "essential" that the public and young people in particular had the "scientific and technological literacy" needed to reap the benefits from an increasingly knowledge-based global economy. There was "an acute shortage" of graduates in some disciplines making it important to encourage more students to enter the sciences, he added.
The comprehensive site provides a wealth of information including details about each university's courses, research activities and contact details.
There is extensive career information and explanations about the different scientific disciplines. There is also a news section and a catalogue of links to other relevant sites.
The dean of science at Trinity College, Prof Mike Jones, explained the background to the new site. "The reason we came together was we all realised there was a crisis in science education in the universities," he said yesterday.
The numbers involved in science and research was falling even as other faculties grew and new investments were improving facilities, he said.
"We hope we are going to make a real contribution to keeping up the number of students going into the sciences," Prof Jones added. The website is available at:
http://www.universityscience.ie