Chair's Message
As Chairman of the SCI America International Group, I am proud to serve the Society as we connect science to business and grow a vibrant industry. These are the best days to have a role in the chemical industry and our impact is, and will continue to be, remarkable.
In the next 40 years, the global population will expand to 9 billion people, creating exponential demands on the Earth's finite resources. The enormous challenges of our times create a dramatic opportunity for us to demonstrate the solutions muscle of our craft. The planet has never been in more need of the best work of chemistry professionals. Only through chemistry will it be possible to provide a healthy and plentiful food supply, clean air and water, safe living conditions, efficient and affordable energy sources and life-saving medical treatments to our global neighbours. On the global stage, this is recognised by the United Nations, which named 2011 the International Year of Chemistry to highlight the enabling capabilities of chemistry towards a sustainable future.
We in the chemical industry know that real and sustainable solutions to these challenges are hidden in the Periodic Table of Elements and are awaiting discovery. Fortunately, our scientists have never had a better understanding of their disciplines or more powerful tools to take on the most difficult of tasks.
The Society of Chemical Industry and its American International Group are firm advocates for the professionals embracing their search for answers. SCI persistently labours to promote public appreciation of the importance of strong, vital and unfettered chemical research and manufacturing, accomplished with the highest levels of safety for our employees and the communities they enrich.
We encourage those whose breakthrough thinking has advanced our science. The Chemical Industry Medal is a premier acknowledgment for life-long dedication to applied chemistry and acceleration of industry growth. Our Perkin Medal is the ultimate American honour for accomplishment in chemistry research and development.
We are leaders in stimulating sustained interest in our fields and drawing to laboratories the brightest and most promising new talent. The Gordon E Moore Medal calls attention to and rewards a significant contribution of an industrial scientist younger than 45 years of age. With the Chemical Heritage Foundation, we help organise the annual Innovation Day which attracts scores of young researchers to educational workshops and symposia on critical issues of the day.
I am particularly proud of our SCI Scholars Programme, which draws to the chemical industry smart and resourceful chemistry and chemical engineering undergraduates, gives them financial and mentoring boosts and introduces them to the many rewards of a career in industry. These young scholars also nominate a high school chemistry teacher for recognition. Teachers are then awarded a certificate from SCI and $1,000, which can be used for professional development or classroom materials.
We have many opportunities for enthusiastic supporters of the essential mission of SCI. Our homepage features the information on how to take advantage of SCI's many activities and learning opportunities.
Dr Stephanie A. Burns
Chairman
SCI America International Group