AUK scholarship, Schlumberger internships and cash prizes await top scientists
Kuwait, 19 March 2011: The third annual Kuwait Science Fair (KSF) competition today celebrated the accomplishments of some of the brightest young and aspiring scientists from schools across Kuwait, in an awards ceremony under the patronage of the Minister of Oil, Minister of Information, and Chairman of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Top ten winners announced were:
- Winner 1: Saif Ahmed Elkholy
Project: Aeroplane engine contingency system
- Winner 2: Zainab Ahmad Abbas
Project: Human cells adaptation to surrounding environment
- Winner 3: Omar Ali Ismail Abdulla
Project: Effects of gasoline vapors on plant growth and animal memory
- Winner 4: Aseel Alsalem and Eithar Alrushaid
Project: The antibacterial properties of common species
- Winner 5: Mariam Majeed
Project: Persevering Honey
- Winner 6: Issra Hassan Othman Hassan Ali
Project: More oxygen for better education
- Winner 7: Sooraj Senthilkumar
Project: Effect of grey water on the growth of plants
- Winner 8: Yara Bassam, Balqesia Kamal, and Sara Qusous
Project: Memory vs Scent
- Winner 9: Sabeeka Abdulrahman Al Wazzan
Project: Fish kill
- Winner 10: Jumana J. Al-Baghli and Lujane J. Al-Baghli
Project: Comparison of antifungal creams
KSF founders, ExxonMobil Kuwait and Kuwait Energy, and partners announced the winners of the most innovative science projects judged during a four-day assessment by a panel of judges comprising of doctors, scientists, and engineers from renowned institutions in Kuwait.
The first prize winner, Saif Ahmed Elkholy, received a full scholarship in his discipline of choice from the American University for Kuwait (AUK), an international internship at Schlumberger, a cash prize of KD750, gift vouchers worth over KD100 in value, certificates honoring their participation and ranking, and the first place trophy.
The Kuwait Science Fair competition is the largest nation-wide annual competition, encompassing over 200 schools in Kuwait. The competition was founded in 2008 by ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Kuwait Limited and Kuwait Energy Company in a shared commitment to generate student interest and excitement in math and science and to help inspire Kuwait's future scientists and innovators.
Nearly 350 students applied to participate in the Kuwait Science Fair by the end of the registration phase. The 'Best 100' ideas were announced last December and were qualified to continue developing their math and science innovations during the second phase, known as the experimental phase.
Special recognitions winners were:
- Winner of the Most Creative Project: Mohammed Awwad and Jassem Al-Obaidi
Project: Use of vehicles movement in the generation of electric energy
- Winner of the Most Innovative Project: Shubham Sharma Shaikh, Mohammad Hamza and Dhananjaya Soin
Project: Growing a 'POMATO' plant
- Winners of the Most Educational Project: Zainab Ahmad Abbas
Project: Human cells adaptation to surrounding environment
- Winners of the Most Energetic Group: Ziad Abbas and Amro Abdeen
Project: Effect of car exhaust on plants
- Winner of the Most Environmentally Conscious Project: Sooraj Senthilkumar
Project: Effect of grey water on the growth of plants
Category prizes winners were:
- Winner of the Biological Sciences category: Zainab Ahmad Abbas
Project: Human cells adaptation to surrounding environment
- Winner of the Environmental Sciences/Ecology category: Omar Ali Ismail Abdulla
Project: Effects of gasoline vapors on plant growth and animal memory
- Winner of the Physical Sciences category: Saif Ahmed Elkholy
Project: Aeroplane engine contingency system
- Winner of the Earth Sciences category: Nasser Al-Abdulaly
Project: What will happen when oil runs out?
The 'Best 100' students all received over KD100 in vouchers and two certificates honoring their ranking and participation in the competition. The second prize winner, Zainab Ahmad Abbas, received an internship at Schlumberger and will receive KD500 in cash, two certificates honoring their participation and ranking, over KD100 in vouchers, and the second place trophy. The third prize winner, Omar Ali Ismail Abdulla, received KD350 in cash, two certificates honoring their ranking and participation, over KD100 in vouchers, and the third place trophy.
A founding member of the KSF competition, ExxonMobil Upstream Ventures Vice President for Europe, Caspian, Middle East and North Africa, Dr. Richard Vierbuchen, said: "This competition started three years ago with young and aspiring scientists from about 26 schools, and today, we have reached ambitious scientists from more than 85 schools. KSF helped inspire over 400 students to pursue careers in math and science in the last three years. This is a remarkable achievement for them and a great honor for us. We look forward to see these young scientists excel in the future."
Also a founding member of the competition, Kuwait Energy Company, Public Relations Advisor, Mr. Abbas Al-Rasheed, said: "A few weeks ago, HH the Amir stressed the importance of human capital in the development of nations, which starts by the development of our youth. The Kuwait Science Fair continues its contribution and investment in Kuwait's future professionals. We have seen how their small ideas have grown into life-changing experiments, and we are certain that by helping them in their path towards innovation, we will witness positive developments in Kuwait's future."
Extending support to the competition, the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS) Director of the Scientific Culture Directorate, Dr. Jasem Al Besharah, said: "When we were invited to partner in the competition, we did not hesitate to support an initiative that has engaged students' interest and capabilities in fields of science. We thank the founders for launching a great competition for students to express themselves outside the classroom."
Sponsors:
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Public Relations Manager, Mr. Ali Hassan Murad, said: "At KPC, we believe in the importance of investing in programs that serve the development of our communities. The KSF competition is a great educational program that continues to support students' development and encourages them to seek careers in the science and math field."
Kuwait United Facilities Management (KUFM) CEO, Mr. Ahmad Yousef Al-Kandari, said: "We are proud to take part in the KSF competition for a second year in a row. Our chance to support students in their efforts to overcome science challenges is both priceless and rewarding. We look forward to seeing these young and bright students making valuable changes in the community in the upcoming years."
The Information Technology Institute Managing Director, Mr. Jameel Aref, said: "As an educational institute, we were very impressed with what students have accomplished this year. The KSF has opened new prospects to many students and supported others in what they are most passionate about. We thank the founders for giving us the opportunity to support Kuwait's young scientists."
Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait Deputy Chief General Manager, Mr. Abdullah Al Sumait, said: "Math and science are core fields to our industry. In this time of age, we are supported by technology and mathematical reasoning in our everyday business. Developing generations from a young age which will support our nation's advancement on the long-term is the key to sustaining our business. We hope to see today's students continue in playing an influential role in their fields of interest."
Asnan Clinic General Manager, Dr. Eisa Al-Eisa said: "Each day, an innovation helps bring solutions to a problem or a challenge. These innovations have helped millions of people across the world in so many positive ways, and these young scientists have proven that it can start right here with them. At Asnan, we believe in the importance of supporting young generations that will sustain development for better solutions, and the KSF provides the educational platform to start developing their abilities."
The Scientific Center Chairman and Managing Director, Engineer Mijbil Almutawa, said: "This is the Scientific Center's second year with the Kuwait Science Fair, and we take pride in seeing the students' abilities and motivation strengthened throughout the competition, while admiring their innovations that reflect their vision of the world. A piece of advice to all our students: keep up the great work and we hope to see you excel in every way in the future."
Partners:
The President of the American University of Kuwait (AUK), Dr. Winfred Thompson, said: "What a great honor to witness first-hand all the creativity by the Kuwait Science Fair participants. We welcome the first place winner within our premises and hope more of these young scientists also become part of AUK's dedicated student body very soon."
Schlumberger Kuwait General Manager, Mr. Maen Razouqi, said: "Schlumberger has initiated and supported many educational programs around the globe, and in Kuwait, we didn't think twice when we were given the opportunity to support Kuwait's youth in this great competition. We are glad to have more brilliant students working with us and learning more about our energy solutions."
The Arab International Industries Projects Company Managing Director, Mr. Fadel Alaoun said: "The innovations we've seen today have shown us that with just enough support, our youth are capable of applying scientific theories and creating real solutions to our everyday problems. We have been amazed by their capabilities and are very proud of every single one of these students. Congratulations to all the winners and participants for their hard work."
The third chapter of the competition launched in October 2010 with the encouragement of last year's winners announcing "We did it, and so can you!." Over 340 students applied for the competition and the students of the 'Best 100' projects went on to the experimental phase, during which students developed their science projects under the supervision and guidance of the Kuwait Science Fair team encompassing science and math experts, and professionals.
The Kuwait Science Fair was founded in 2008 by ExxonMobil Kuwait and Kuwait Energy. In its third run, the competition received platinum sponsorships from KPC and KUFM, gold sponsorship from ITI, silver sponsorship from The Scientific Center, Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait and Asnan Clinic, while KFAS, AUK, Schlumberger and AIIP joined as partners to the competition.
The Kuwait Science Fair competition will continue to provide an opportunity for students across Kuwait, to create innovative and creative math and science solutions in its fourth chapter starting on 26th September 2011.
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For more information, please contact:
Leslie Mouawad
Bensirri PR
Mobile: 00965-99981334
Email: leslie@bensirri.com
© Press Release 2011
