CRI听力:'World Science Conference - Israel' Encourages Passion for Science

400 young students from around the world are exchanging ideas in science with 15 different Nobel laureates at the inaugural World Science Conference-Israel in Jerusalem.

American biochemist and Nobel laureate Roger Kornberg is the Chair of the WSCI Academic Committee.

He says the conference provides a unique platform.

"The purposes are first and foremost to bring young people who are interested in science in contact with more senior scientists who have achieved a great deal and especially could communicate their love of science and encourage young people to pursue careers in science. Young people will realize that there is both a reason and an opportunity to pursue a passion for science, both for their own personal satisfaction, and of course for the betterment of humanity."

Students can choose to take part in different panel discussions based on their interests.

"It's a very great opportunity to listen from the great minds like the Nobel laureates. I plan to major in computer science and continue my study in the United States. Actually I want to be a founder of a start-up company, a technology company."

The participants include 13 high school students from China.

"It's my honor to come to the WSCI. I want to communicate with friends from all over the world who are interested in science, meet more people, and try to solve some academic problems together."
Chinese American Nobel laureate, Steven Chu, the former Secretary of Energy, is also at the event.

He says he'd like to see young Chinese students explore theories which aren't already on-paper.

"In the United States, I try to teach my students, if I say something that does not make sense to them, they are allowed to say, no,I think you are wrong, and there is a discussion. This is what I believe to be the critical part of how you begin to think originally. You don't automatically accept something you read in a journal, something you read in a text book, or something you hear by respected scientists as automatically true."

Shan Chongyong, head of the Chinese delegation, says the forum in Jerusalem is a great opportunity for students to learn.

"They have access to prestigious scientists, can participate in panel discussions and take part in seminars in science at a young age, which will help them a lot in choosing the subjects they want to study and devote themselves to in in the future. It will also broaden their horizons, which is very helpful for their studies."

The conference in Israel runs until Thursday.

For CRI, I'm Luo Wen.