Buet Vice Chancellor Prof AMM Safiullah gives away a prize to a participant of Science Olympiad 2010 organised by Bangladesh Academy of Sciences at Buet auditorium in the city yesterday. Photo: Star

Speakers at a programme yesterday called upon parents to encourage their children to study science subjects at least up to higher secondary level so that they can stay in tune with the developments in the field of science.
"Studying science till intermediate level would equip the youth with the basic knowledge to comprehend scientific facts and issues that have both local and global importance," said Prof Dr M Shamser Ali, president of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences.
"From that level they can go towards any specialised field. But studying science till college should be a must," he said.
Prof Shamsher, who is also the vice-chancellor of Southeast University, was addressing the audience as the chair of the prize giving ceremony of Bangladesh Academy of Science Olympiad 2010 at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) auditorium in the city yesterday.
Speaking as special guest, Prof Dr Misbahuddin Ahmed of Buet said Bangladesh is a country where science does not spark as much excitement and interest as it should.
"Because of a serious lack of interest in science, we are falling behind in numerous sectors in more than one way," he said.
Bangladesh needs more initiatives to promote science education and science teachers have to encourage students to take up science related sector as a career, he added.
Speaking as the chief guest, Buet Vice-Chancellor Prof AMM Safiullah said the fundamentals of development of any country rely on scientific advancements and practices.
The chief guest later handed out medals to 100 students of different schools across the country who participated in the Olympiad.
Daffodil International University Vice-Chancellor Dr Aminul Islam was also present on the occasion.
Bangladesh Academy of Sciences in association with Buet organised the nationwide Science Olympiad to test scientific knowledge of over 400 participants in different secondary and higher secondary schools throughout the country.
The national level preliminary test was held in January 8 in different locations across the country. A number of 400 finalists were selected for the final rounds that took place at Buet yesterday.
The Science Olympiad is the first of its kind in the country and will be continued as an annual event, BAS source said.