International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano told a group of high school students in the Philippines today that science is crucial to economic progress and human development.
“Science is the basis of the future not only for your country, but also for individuals such as yourselves,” Amano said to students at Quezon City High School.
The Manila school is participating in IAEA’s Comependium of Resources and Activities for Secondary School Teachers and Students on Nuclear Science and Technology. The pilot program aims to raise students’ interest in nuclear science and technology.
Amano encouraged the students to maintain their interest in science while also noting that nuclear energy has made important contributions to such fields as water management, health care, the environment and agriculture.
In all, 450 students ages 14 to 16 at two Manila school are involved in the IAEA’s outreach project. Students in Indonesia, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates are also taking part in the program.
As part of a five-country tour of southeast Asia, Amano also visited the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. He also met with Philippines’ Secretary of Science and Technology Mario Montego and Undersecretary of Research and Development Amelia Guevara.
