ABSTRACT

Worldwide shortages of scientists, engineers and technologists are being predicted in many scientific disciplines by organizations such as United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO; https://portal.unesco. org/en/ev.php). At the same time, science and technology have become the drivers of economic and social development for the global economy. Countries not able to compete in these attractive areas of growth in science and technology are more likely to face a lower standard of living and quality of life than their economic rivals. The pressure to prepare more young people to follow careers in science and technology, both generally and specifically in the field of oil chemistry, comes from at least two sources-the need to replace the retiring cadre of scientists and the general need for more scientists as science becomes more of a driver of economic development. Countries that have relied on immigration of scientists may especially feel the pressure to produce more scientists as more nations are able to offer attractive and rewarding careers. More scientists will find staying at home in their own country as rewarding as working elsewhere, most likely in a more industrialized nation. There are, of course, other variables related specifically to oil chemistry and science. Despite the importance of fats and oils, and in particular oilseeds, to the economy of Canada, there has been little effort in developing programs to teach the chemistry and technology of these components, especially at the post-secondary level of education. Even basic education in lipid chemistry and biochemistry has been noted as deficient by Canada’s Expert Committee on Fats, Oils and Other Lipids.1