A Conference called ‘Initiatives in improving Human Resources in science and technology’ was held in Bangalore for three days from 26th May to 28th May. The conference was organised by the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology, the Vision Group on Science and Technology and the Department of Science and Technology. During the three-day conference, leaders in the area of Science and Technology, experts in the field of science education from reputed institutions like Indian Institute of Science, planners, administrators, policy makers, faculty and students from various universities, NGOs and science promoters discussed various issues related to HRD, infrastructure, research and training and the involvement of women in science and technology. The Linus Pauling research professor and advisor to the Prime Minister on science and technology Prof.C N R Rao inaugurated the conference.The Indian Institute of Science Director P Balaram informed that to improve the quality of human resource in science and technology in the state, the newly set up Talent Training Centre at the second campus of the IIS in Chitradurga district is training high school science teachers. He said the Talent Training Centre in Chitradurga could serve as a permanent centre for training science teachers from the entire country. Till now, there was no permanent centre to train high school science teachers and now with the establishment of the Talent Training Centre in Chitradurga, science teachers would be trained regularly at the venue. Prof.C N R Rao said the importance given to engineering education in the country is not a positive trend. He said that parents should encourage their children to take up science and not force them to pursue engineering courses. He noted that Karnataka alone produces 65,000 engineers every year, whereas in the US with all universities put together only 75,000 engineers pass out in a year. He stressed that by producing engineers and neglecting science; the country would not benefit and added that a strong foundation in basic science faculty is essential if the country hopes to create a vibrant applied science sector. J. Krishna Palemar, Minister for Ecology and Environment and Science and Technology said three new science centres, on the lines of the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, will be set up in Mysore, Dharwad and Mangalore to spread the importance of science among school children. The centres will disseminate science information, organise events and have a museum section, he said. Apart from this, another 10 sub-centres would be set up. H R Sudhindra, AIR correspondent, Bangalore