Page 21 - AWSAR 2.0

INTRODUCTION
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Most research into science & technology has been observed to remain confined to institutional limits or to scientific fraternity through publications in scientific journals. At the scientific-social interface, a yawning communication gap exists. It is still a challenge to bridge this communication gap between science and the common people.
Science and technology communication is an emerging field of academic research in the current scenario. Many institutions and universities are offering professional courses at various levels in S&T communication. Unfortunately, during the period of research work,, researchers don't find an opportunity to communicate or talk about their research at a public forum. However, they have many opportunities to present outcome of their research in a seminar or conference before their peers.
Considering the above fact, the scheme “Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research” (AWSAR) was conceived and conceptualized in 2018 by National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) Division, Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with Vigyan Prasar (an Autonomous Institute of Department of Science & Technology). The specific objective of the scheme is to encourage young researchers to write about their research in a simplified or easy to understand format. The result of this scheme is expected to contribute to our constitutional mandate as laid down in Article 50 A(h), i.e., Fostering, strengthening, and nurturing scientific temper among the people of the country.
Under this program, capacity building workshops on popular science writing provided an opportunity for the researchers to have direct interaction with some of the best-known science writers and journalists of the country.
We have received an overwhelming response from AWSAR 1.0 (2018). In continuation, AWSAR 2.0 in the year 2019 was also well appraised by research scholars & academic fraternity. A total of 4993 researchers got themselves registered on the AWSAR portal. On the closing date of the entry, 258 and 1690 stories were received respectively under the PDF and Ph.D. category. After the initial review, 1826 stories were evaluated by two experts. This year, based on the recommendation of experts committee, six PhD scholars were conferred AWSAR award in PhD category (1st, 2nd & 3rd prize) and two Post Doc Fellows were awarded under PDF Category. Under PhD Category 112 authors and under PDF Category 21 authors were awarded with Rs 10,000/- along with Certificate of Appreciation.
The current compendium of AWSAR awarded stories will serve as a knowledge product for science & technology communication initiatives at different platforms. Ultimately, AWSAR is attempting to bridge the existing gap in communicating research to the common man by utilizing the latent potential of Ph.D. Scholars and Post-Doctoral Fellows (PDFs).
Dr K B Bhushan
Scientist-D, Vigyan Prasar