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University as a vehicle to enhance the role of science centers in a knowledge based society

NAMES Network first General Assembly Meeting, 2-3 November 2008, Bibliotheca Alexandrina. University as a vehicle to enhance the role of science centers in a knowledge based society. Dr. Mohamed Mamdouh Awny Director, Technology Management Program Arabian Gulf University

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University as a vehicle to enhance the role of science centers in a knowledge based society

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  1. NAMES Network first General Assembly Meeting, 2-3 November 2008, Bibliotheca Alexandrina University as a vehicle to enhance the role of science centers in a knowledge based society Dr. Mohamed Mamdouh Awny Director, Technology Management Program Arabian Gulf University Kingdom of Bahrain 3 November 2008

  2. UNITE: Research, Scholarship, and Teaching !!

  3. Supporting research in universities by the government is an investment in the education of the next generation Vann Bush

  4. Stepping back only a few decades ago: Universities were: • about intellectual pursuit, predominantly for its own sake; • they educate a very privileged minority; • placed in cities but not really part of them; • activities were hidden- they were almost abstract; • the academics wereindulging in activities that were above the daily pursuit of ordinary people

  5. Shift : • From high-cultural role of the elite university to a broader role for the contemporary mass university • Yet in many places of the world, people still see universities as distant from, and not engaged in the present and future of their communities • Gradually, universities have becoming more coherent with the market and society

  6. World around us is changing at tremendous speed • It is characterized by the fast and diversified communications • World is becoming borderless, interconnected, and interdependent • Many believe that the rate of change of critical technologies may exceed 25% per year • Therefore, education system has to cope with this fact, and • Traditional long-term updates to academic curricula obsolete processes, also

  7. In addition to creating the new knowledge, universities' researchers make breakthroughs and innovations • Impacts the way universities work, cooperate, and interact with the local and global communities. • Students were allowed to select courses, which in turn becoming more specialized and job oriented.

  8. New trends: • Growing feeling amongst the business community that specialization has gone too far • They prefer the liberally-educated "generalist" to the narrowly-focused specialist to suit their ever-changing needs • The rapid change of critical technologies and market demands needs: - educational programmes that involve close cooperation of industry; - education for the job and life-long re- education

  9. Entrepreneurship and universities • The government reduction of its financial support to the universities has tempted the universities to be busy grooming themselves up to serve the industry both in re-education, in applied research activities of varying degrees of sophistication, and/or even run-of-the mill consultancy work -The emerge of professor "entrepreneur" whose concern is raising funds - Professors responsible for "business development" and promoting their institutions in the new and open market.

  10. The possible drawbacks • One is scared that shifting to market, for financial support, may become recognized means of supplementary inadequate staff incomes • May have adverse impacts on academic interests and priorities, and particularly in teaching (time allocation, quality, etc.) - Secretiveness may gradually replace peer review - commercializing universities' research activities and providing what the industry wants rather than excellence or adding knowledge may dictate the universities' mission

  11. Universities' main role is three folds • Education: that creates human capital by fostering the new generations to posses knowledge, skills, and ethics; • Research (both basic and applied): that creates knowledge; • Servicing the society: by dissemination of knowledge and its implementations for the prosperity of the society.

  12. Universities and Societies • The role of servicing the society by dissemination of knowledge and its implementations is becoming of great importance • We can now see almost all universities are having vice-chancellors for society services • Most societies are changing from material-based societies to knowledge based ones. • Knowledge based societies are those societies sharing knowledge reality. This is an act for the democratization of scientific knowledge.

  13. Science Centers • One of the proven effective tools for knowledge dissemination in societies • Emphasize a hands-on approach, featuring interactive exhibits • Encourage members of the society to experiment and explore scientific phenomena and technological product in an stimulating environment • They develop positive attitudes and go through cognitive learning

  14. Brief historical background • First science museum was the Saint Louis Museum of Science in Philadelphia 1859 • First science centre was the Urania Science Centre which was founded in Berlin in 1888 • Science centers started to emerge at a considerable number all over the world in the 1960's • Science Centers have assisted in the development and building of technology parks throughout the world • May overcome some of the deficiencies in equipping the school laboratories in developing countries

  15. Universities and Science Centers • To accomplish their role as knowledge disseminators and services providers to the society • Many science centers around the world are established, owned and operated by Academy of science, universities or education institutes • Saint Louis Science Centre and the University City science centre in Philadelphia • Will upgrade the level of students later enrolling the universities

  16. Universities to participate in: • Study and suggest the form, type, and role; • Design the detailed components and structure; • Identify its technical and financial feasibility; • Involve the university science and technology staff in the realization of these designs; • Encourage their staff to embody their knowledge and skills in physical exhibits; • Continuously update the exhibits with up-to-date science discoveries and technologies; • Raising funds for the centers; • Running the centre.

  17. Science Museum Centre at Arabian Gulf University • Anatomy science museum has been established in Arabian Gulf University more than a decade ago • The pre-medical students are the most beneficiaries of this museum • The university is to expand this museum/science centre An overview of the museum

  18. THANK YOU Dr. Mohamed Mamdouh Awny Director, Technology Management Program Arabian Gulf University Kingdom of Bahrain 3 November 2008

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