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Following last year's success, the second annual Kuwait Science Fair competition is supported by platinum sponsors, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and Kuwait United Facilities Management (KUFM), gold sponsor Cinescape, hotel sponsor Marina Hotel, and partners Schlumberger Kuwait and Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST).
Kuwait Science Fair Managing Director Ms. Aseel Al-Turkait sets a renewed effort to paramount its previous success.
"After last year's success and the amazing projects that were presented by students, we are proud to engage them for a second year in an even more competitive atmosphere. We would like to encourage our nation's young minds to constantly challenge themselves, and develop their abilities. The support of large companies and the tremendous interest from both private and public schools are incredible motivators for the students, us and our mission,"
she says.
The second annual Kuwait Science Fair launches this year under the theme 'Yes, I can!' Government and private schools visits and briefings will take place throughout the preceding month, and the final due date is on November 22, 2009. 'The Best 100' will be announced in the upcoming month of December. During the second phase of the competition, students will attend workshops hosted at the Marina Hotel. The finalists will be announced during the final event to take place on March 6, 2010.
ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Kuwait Limited President, Dr. John Hoholick added: "Last year, The Kuwait Science Fair aimed to encourage students to take an active interest in math and science education and careers. Students presented projects that brought solutions to issues from their daily lives, such as energy and water shortage, nutrition and the effects of our surroundings on our lives. The students clearly demonstrated knowledge, interest, and ambition. We bring them further support this year and await the projects that will be presented."
Kuwait Energy Company Corporate Affairs Manager, Reyadh Al-Sharaf, sincerely believes in the capabilities of the younger generation in Kuwait.
"Success is driven by the human capital of every institution. Their acquired abilities and expertise rely on education and engagement in disciplines from a young age. With the Kuwait Science Fair, youth now have the opportunity to ignite their imagination, explore their potential and be armed with competitive knowledge on an international level," he said.
To add, Kuwait Petroleum Company Public Relations Manager, Ali Hassan Murad said, "Kuwait Petroleum Corporation believes that corporate social responsibility is an essential part of the development of the Kuwaiti economy and society, this is why we continuously invest in social programs that reflect our philosophy and reach out to society. Kuwait Science Fair engages students in math and science to inspire them to become tomorrow's leaders in these disciplines."
Kuwait United Facilities Management Deputy CEO Mr. Ahmad Yousef Al-Kandari knows the importance of supporting young students in Kuwait.
"We believe in the importance of supporting and offering the resources for the development of our human capital as well as in the importance of building a solid basis in scientific disciplines at an international level and its contribution into the society and the long-term development of our country. Kuwait Science Fair offers our students the opportunity to discover their talents and strive to become tomorrow's leaders in math and science careers, such as engineering and architecture, so that Kuwait can benefit from their talents," he said.
The rewards behind this competition are valuable financial as well as educational assets in line with the theme of the competition. Gulf University for Science and Technology will extend a four-year curriculum scholarship for a bachelor degree to the first prize winner in the discipline of the student's choice. GUST is the first private university initiated in Kuwait, receiving the Institutional Accreditation from the Private Universities Council. GUST is also the only university that allows students to a double registration with one of the most prestigious and largest universities in the United States, the University of Missouri in St. Louis.
"Since its establishment in 2002, GUST ensured its role in supporting them to achieve their career goals by developing their skills and abilities. When choosing the career directions, students are influenced by their surrounding, whether it was advice from their parents, engagement from their teachers or the work of a role model. The most important influence comes in the activities and initiatives where students can explore their potential, likes and dislikes. Kuwait Science Fair guides students in a determined direction and we are excited to offer the finalist in the competition a full scholarship at GUST," said Dr. Fahad Al-Zumai, the University's Vice President.
But the prizes don't end there. The first and second prize winners of this year's competition will also be offered internships in Schlumberger. The finalist's school will be admitted into Schlumberger's Excellence in Educational Development (SEED), which aims to promote the learning of science in educational institutions across the globe. Schlumberger also pledges to completely fit the winner's represented school with a state-of-the-art computer laboratory and an online science center.
The SEED program works to educate students of global issues that have an influence on their futures. The program promotes education about issues such as water conservation, energy usage and conservation, and climate change. This is done through direct interaction with Schlumberger engineers and scientists and is available in seven languages, namely Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Schlumberger General Manager Maen Al-Razouqi explains. "Schlumberger's SEED program shares the passion for learning science with students and empowers them to use knowledge and technology creatively to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Our responsibility is to reach out to as many communities to breach gaps and pass on our passion. Kuwait Science Fair is the first and largest competition reaching out to all students in Kuwait to inspire, influence and enable them to pursue their dreams. We seized this opportunity and look forward to the rising talents that will join our programs."
The Kuwait Science Fair officially launches with a committee of volunteers from participating companies as well as volunteers from educational establishments. The volunteers will be approaching schools to recruit students for the Kuwait Science Fair.
Posted by Nadeen El Ajou
