In another record-setting year, 1,604 students participated to qualify for entry in the Intel National Science Olympiad this year with a total of 813 projects from 270 institutions at the district and provincial levels. Again surpassing last year's totals, 228 students and 106 teachers of 78 institutions from all across Pakistan, qualified and participated at the National Science Olympiad 2009. These whiz kids were called to compete at National Science Olympiad held on 22-24 January, 2009 held in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and Intel Pakistan Corporation. A total of 121 projects were displayed at the National Library Complex in Islamabad from the 21-24 January 2009. The National Science Olympiad is the only affiliated fair with the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF). Winners of the National Science Olympiad 2009 will represent the nation in the upcoming Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) 2009 in Reno, Nevada, USA.
“I hope that quality projects selected through this competition will also be recognized in the forth coming Intel International Science & Engineering Fair 2009, scheduled to be held in USA in May this year. And wish all the participants success in their future endeavors”, said the Federal Minister for Education, Mir Hazar Khan Birani while addressing the participants and guests at the opening ceremony.
The nation's brightest minds and the innovators of tomorrow bravely took on groundbreaking research of life-threatening infections and problems related to our daily lives such as electricity generation and environmental issues.
Mr. Shahid Ahmed, Additional Federal Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan graced the closing ceremony of on January 24, 2009 and distributed certificates and medals to 36 students. 25 of the winners were awarded Best of Category Awards out of these the 5 Grand Winners are the finalists who will represent Pakistan this year at the Intel ISEF 2009. For the first time, 11 students were honored with Special Regional Awards.
(To see a detailed list of winners please click here.)
Addressing the students, teachers and guests Mr. Shahid Ahmed said, “The Government of Pakistan aims to improve quality of education by promoting initiatives in areas of science and technology…We also encourage easy access to computers by our youth in collaboration with leading organizations such as Intel Pakistan. We have wholeheartedly supported the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair which is a unique opportunity for our students to improve their research and engineering skills while displaying their talent before a global audience”.
The Intel Science Olympiads reward young people who have undertaken practical research projects, which demonstrate innovative approaches thorough scientific procedures. Many students say their entry in the Intel Olympiads marked the high point of their school science careers. Students get an unsurpassed chance to demonstrate ingenuity, inquisitiveness, excellence in experiment design and application to problem solving.
Participating in this leading science and mathematics research-based competition for high school students, furthers their research skills, opens new doors in pursuit of their educational and career objectives, provides the opportunity to meet other students who share their interest in research, allows them to talk with distinguished scientists and offers them a chance to win a college scholarship. It fosters intensive research that improves students' understanding of the value of scientific study and informs their consideration of future careers in these disciplines.
