NEWS
2025-07-29
NCPOR promoted the polar Outreach and Education Bridging Science and Policy
Editor:Swati Nagar(NCPOR, India)
It is vital to connect science and policy matters to public. During the 46th ATCM and 26th CEP, NCPOR led several outreach initiatives under Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR), including panel discussions, exhibitions, and side events. A seminar titled "Changing Antarctic and Challenges Ahead", co-organized with the Korean Polar Research Institute and Kobe University, focused on Antarctic governance and international collaboration. Another panel, "Antarctic Synergy: Driving Scientific Progress through Diplomacy," featured experts from India, Norway, France, and Germany, and engaged 60 students from various institutions, promoting inclusive dialogue on the strategic and ethical dimensions of polar stewardship.
India's polar achievements were highlighted through an engaging exhibition and a photo gallery, "Echoes of Antarctica." A virtual reality tour of Bharati Station offered delegates an immersive Antarctic experience. Other notable events included the launch of a special India Post Mystamp commemorating 46ATCM and the unveiling of a student-created mural on Southern Ocean biodiversity, led by Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition and its partners in collaboration with NCPOR.
Demystifying Science for Society
The polar and ocean exhibition “Science in Extreme,” organized at NCPOR, India during its Silver Jubilee Celebration in April 2025 attracted over 5,000 visitors witnessing the captivating interactive exhibits, photo gallery depicting research activities and landscape and interaction with polar researchers. The Virtual Reality (VR) enabled Antarctica experience and interactions with scientists captured public imagination.
Mega Science Exhibitions at National and regional levels organized in different states in India provides a platform for connecting with thousands of students and general public of different states. Engaging installations, multimedia content, fostered a better understanding of Polar Regions in general and with special glimpse to Indian endeavours. During the India International Science Festival (IISF), huge number of visitors and their interactions at NCPOR stall has bagged it -Best Innovative Pavilion award. Antarctica Day was also celebrated connecting more than 100 students to the Indian team at Bharati, Antarctica though live interaction and intriguing lecture on Antarctica lecture during IISF.
Furthermore, educational visits offer students’ exposure through polar lab tours, direct students-scientist interactions, and virtual linking with the Indian team in Antarctica. This inspires young generation about the relevance of Polar Regions while highlighting the unique career opportunities in polar research. During 2024-2025, more than 3500 students from different colleges and school across India visited NCPOR.
Awards/ Accolades:
Indian scientists continue to receive global and national recognition for their impactful contributions. Dr. Rahul Mohan, Scientist-G, NCPOR, was honoured with the National Geoscience Award 2023 by the Hon’ble President of India and the L. Rama Rao Birth Centenary Award 2024 for his work in geosciences and micropaleontology. Dr. Shailendra Saini and Dr. S.C. Tripathy of NCPOR were elected as Vice Chairs of COMNAP and SOOS Executive Committees, respectively, reflecting India’s active role in polar and Southern Ocean science leadership.