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Chemical
Education International, Vol. 1, No. 1, 4-5, Published in August
31, 2000
From the Chairman of CTC
J. D. Bradley
Department
of Chemistry , University of the Witwatersrand , Private Bag 3 ,
Johannesburg , P O WITS 2050 , South Africa
The
Committee on Teaching of Chemistry, is an operational standing committee
of IUPAC, charged
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to
advise the President and the Executive Committee on educational
matters,
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to
coordinate the educational interests and activities of all IUPAC
bodies,
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to
act as an informational and coordinating body for chemical education
activities throughout the world and to establish a system of
National Representatives as a channel of communication; and
to develop liaison with international organizations such as
UNESCO and with national chemical societies or chemical education
committees.
This
charge is addressed by a committee of 8 Titular Members, including
a Chairman and Secretary, 7 Divisional Members and 17 National Representatives.
Much of this has been done by programmes, led by 2 or 3 of its members.
A
couple of years ago, IUPAC published a Strategic Plan in which a
number of long - range goals were identified. One of them is pertinent
to CTC:
IUPAC
will utilize its global perspective to contribute towards the enhancement
of education in chemistry and to advance the public understanding
of chemistry and the scientific method.
As
a consequence, in 1999, and ad hoc Education Strategy Development
Committee was formed by IUPAC to
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Review
IUPAC's current and immediately planned activities in the field
of chemical education, including programs of the Committee on
Teaching of Chemistry, the other Operational Committees, and
the Scientific Divisions.
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Recommend
areas in which IUPAC should and realistically can make meaningful
contributions toward worldwide chemical education. Provide advice
as to areas where IUPAC should not be involved.
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Recommend
ways by which IUPAC can realistically contribute toward the
public understanding of chemistry and the scientific method.
-
Recommend
any organizational and/or operational changes within IUPAC to
facilitate the implementation of the recommendations proposed
by the Committee.
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Report
to the Bureau by August 31, 2000 - preferably a final report
if feasible, or an interim report otherwise.
This
Committee has met once and will meet again towards the end of July.
At the second meeting 17 recommendations arising from the first
meeting, and subsequent inputs, will be reviewed and may be added
to.
There
is a good chance that the final report will reach the Bureau by
August 31, with the consequence that quite significant changes can
be expected in the near future.
Whatever
these changes are the objective of communicating with the global
community of chemistry educators is likely to remain.
This
PRELIMINARY ISSUE of MATTER, LIFE, AND ENVIRONMENT represents a
trial of a new approach to this objective. Prof. Takeuchi and his
editorial board may be congratulated on bringing the idea to its
present state. They, and CTC, will be very grateful for any comments
or suggestions.
Last
updated
29.07.04
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