Largest science competition in Kuwait

Endorsed by the Minister of Oil, Information and US Ambassador

Public and private companies team up to inspire students in math and science

Kuwait, 26 September 2010: The Kuwait Science Fair, the largest science competition founded by ExxonMobil Kuwait and Kuwait Energy, launched today the competition in its third run with continued support from the public and private sectors, to generate student interest and excitement in math and science and help inspire the scientists and innovators of tomorrow.

The third annual Kuwait Science Fair competition is endorsed by HE Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Minister of Oil, Minister of Information, and Chairman of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, for the third year in a row.  Supporting the competition for the first time, HE the US Ambassador to Kuwait, Mrs. Deborah Jones, joins as its leading chief ambassador to support the efforts of the competition at large.

Following two consecutive and successful years, the founders of the Kuwait Science Fair are joined by returning sponsors as well as new partners:

Platinum sponsors for the second year in a row:

  • Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)

  • Kuwait United Facilities Management Company (KUFM)

Gold sponsors:

  • Information Technology Institute (ITI)

Silver sponsors:

  • The Scientific Center

  • Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait

  • Asnan Clinic

Partners:

  • Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS)

  • Schlumberger Kuwait

  • American University of Kuwait (AUK)

  • Arab International Industrial Projects Company (AIIP)

Extending his support for the third year in a row, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said: "The Kuwait Science Fair continues to encourage students to innovate in math and science, engages them to learn and explore science fields and to apply what they have learnt at school under the supervision of the Kuwait Science Fair team of professionals.  We look forward to the participation of more students this year and we hope to see these talented students excel in math and science on an international level."

HE The US Ambassador to Kuwait, Mrs. Deborah Jones, said: "The Kuwait Science Fair competition was founded on the vision of encouragement and support to engage students in science and math fields.  The competition inspired many students looking forward to becoming innovators in fields of their interest.  I've personally witnessed the excitement and anxiousness of these students as winners were announced last March.  Many great and innovative projects were honored and recognized and many more were exhibited, showing that these students can excel and give their best when given the opportunity.  Students will take our place in the world tomorrow, so it is important that we provide them with a platform to discover innovative solutions, and an opportunity to make their mark.  I am proud to be a chief ambassador to the Kuwait Science Fair and I also look forward to support students in their journey to become the scientists of tomorrow."

The Kuwait Science Fair activities:

The third Kuwait Science Fair competition will launch on October 10th, with a continued commitment to encouraging students from over 150 schools in Kuwait to innovate in math and science and to pursue careers in these fields.

ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Kuwait Limited President, Mr. John Hoholick, said: "We launch another great and exciting competition this year, encouraging students to discover fields that witness a decrease in the number of professionals internationally.  Back in 2008, ExxonMobil Kuwait and Kuwait Energy came together in a shared commitment to generate student interest in math and science and to encourage them to pursue careers in them.  Our mission is to encourage each talented student to get excited about science and mathematics and pursue a long, exciting and rewarding career.  What we've seen over the years is proof that students in Kuwait have great ambition and talent, and we need to encourage them to pursue and develop them.  These students will be the future innovators of solutions to challenges we face today, and may face tomorrow.  We look forward to another science adventure with students and we thank our partners for the support they continue to lend us."

Kuwait Energy Company Manager of Kuwait Projects, Mr. Hamzah Abbas said: "Kuwait, being the largest oil exporters in the world, is one of the countries most dependent on experts in math and science.  It is crucial for us to build a generation of scientists to lead the oil sector, and other related sectors in the future.  The Kuwait Science Fair is a first step to inspiring future scientists. Today in its third run, the competition continues to engage and inspire students from across Kuwait."

The five-month-long competition, held in both Arabic and English, is divided into two phases: a registration phase and an experimental phase. 

The registration phase starts with direct school visits, registration points, and one-on-one student sessions to help guide students through their application process, and the development of ideas for their experiments. After an initial review, the experimental phase starts with the 'Best 100' projects continuing the development of their experiments and inventions until the final competition day. During the final days of the competition, projects are assessed by a judging panel comprising engineers, doctors, and science experts from Kuwait's most reputable organizations. Winners are finally announced in the final event ceremony.

Continued support from private, public sectors and science institutions:

KPC Managing Director for Government, Parliament, Public Relations and Media, Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, said: "KPC believes in the importance of investing in initiatives that build a generation of future scientists.  Scientists are the backbone of many public and private institutions such as KPC and it is important to continue inspiring generations that will be the future innovators of our companies and our nation.  The Kuwait Science Fair has distinguished itself as a building and learning experience for students who continue to challenge themselves.  We look forward to another year of great ideas and innovative projects."

KUFM Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ahmed Yousef Al Kandari said: "Last year, we joined the Kuwait Science Fair following the great success the competition witnessed. This year, we continue our support and our efforts during this competition to excite students ready and willing to innovate in science fields. Students presented fascinating projects that acted as solutions to world challenges, and we want to take part in witnessing that again this year.  The Kuwait Science Fair has succeeded, and continues to encourage students in fields such as engineering and environmental science.  We continue to emphasize on the important role that we play as part of the private sector in inspiring our youth. We are glad to be a sponsor of the competition for another year."

KFAS Director of the Scientific Culture Directorate, Dr. Jasem Al Besharah, said: "Supporting science initiatives is core to the KFAS foundation which aims at promoting Science and Technology in the country.  We have sponsored the Kuwait Science Fair for the first time this year after witnessing two years of great success, from encouraging students to innovate in a competitive environment, to providing support from professionals and inspiring them to challenge themselves and want to pursue careers in science fields.  The Kuwait Science Fair is a great opportunity for students who are curious about the math and science fields, and who want to take the important steps towards brilliance. We look forward to the innovations that will be presented this year."

ITI Managing Director, Mr. Jameel Arif said: "The Kuwait Science Fair is a learning and educational experience for students and a great opportunity for them to explore fields they never considered before.  Being an educational institute, we deeply encourage strong initiatives like the Kuwait Science Fair competition, as it is a unique opportunity to raise the educational level in sciences, and technology alike, as well as engage innovative students from a very young age."

Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait Deputy Chief General Manager, Mr. Abdullah Al Sumait, said: "As a leading financial institution, we know that professions, related to math and analytical thinking, are the core to our success.  Students not only learn from what they read or experiment in the Kuwait Science Fair, but also try different and new ways of finding solutions when they are faced with one or more incidents of failure over a five month experiment-building experience.  We are glad to be part of an initiative that brings together institutions investing in future generations."

Asnan Clinic General Manager, Dr. Eisa Al-Eisa said: "The Kuwait Science Fair is not a one-time only competition, it is an inspirational experience for students that aim to excel in math and science, today and tomorrow, and on an international level.  We took the opportunity this year to support the Kuwait Science Fair and its innovative students in health science or engineering.  We are proud to be the first health institution supporting Kuwait's young generations and look forward to a year filled with adventures and findings."

The Scientific Center Chairman and Managing Director, Engineer Mijbil Almutawa said: "We've come back a second year to extend our support to students through our state of the art facilities, after being one of the first institutions to believe in the Kuwait Science Fair initiative. The founders achieved their goals year after year by inspiring students in the application of math and science.  We look forward to welcoming students in the Scientific Center all year long."

Valuable prizes to excelling students: 

This year, winners will be categorized by ranking, best in a category and special prizes winners.

The first prize winner will receive a full scholarship in the bachelor degree of choice from the AUK.  AUK is an independent, private, equal opportunity, and co-educational liberal arts institution of higher education. AUK and its Ivy League partner Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire (USA) have worked closley together since 2003, when the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding. 

AUK President, Dr. Winfred Thompson said: "The Kuwait Science Fair is one of the few initiatives that unite students and schools from across Kuwait to excel in math and science.  We are glad to present the first prize winner with a full scholarship to complete his, her, or their bachelor degree in one of the leading higher education institutions in Kuwait.  We look forward to welcoming the most innovative and brilliant student or students to our university.

The first and second prize winners will also receive an internship opportunity at Schlumberger, the leading oilfield services and technology companies in the world.  The first prize winner will have an opportunity to choose from over 50 locations from around the world to complete the internship.

Schlumberger Kuwait Public Relations Officer, Ms. Esra Alhabib said: "We are very excited to welcome our second Kuwait Science Fair set of winners into Schlumberger where they will learn from a multi-cultural team and acquire on-ground experience of the oil and gas industry.  At Schlumberger, we believe in the importance of constantly developing the abilities of our youth from a very young age in order to engage a generation of brilliant scientists tomorrow.  We look forward to reaching out to students and guiding them in their science projects."

The best projects in each of the four Kuwait Science Fair categories, namely biology, physics, earth studies and environmental studies, will also be awarded.

The Arabic International Industrial Projects (AIIP) will be presenting a cash prize of KD650 to the student with the most creative project in the environmental science field, and KD450 to each student with the most creative project in the physics, biology, and earth science fields.

AIIP Managing Director, Mr. Fadel Alaoun said: "We join the Kuwait Science Fair for the first time this year, encouraging students in their journey of scientific discovery within a student-based and friendly competition.  In our support to students, we are extending the largest cash prize to the best environmental project, being a recycling and environmentally friendly solutions company.  But of course, we did not limit the prize to this category, other categories are as important because they are directly linked and impact one another.  We wish students the best of luck this year."

Registration: 

The Kuwait Science Fair competition is open to all students in Kuwait between seventh and twelfth grade. Joining can be done online through www.best100.org starting October 10th.  The Kuwait Science Fair team will visit schools across Kuwait, welcome students who wish to participate at the official KSF booth in the Marina Mall and can be contacted on the KSF hotline - number found on the website.

-Ends-

For more information, please contact:
Leslie Mouawad
Bensirri PR
Mobile: 00965-99981334
Email: leslie@bensirri.com

© Press Release 2010