Seven Indians clinch Intel science fair awards

BANGALORE, INDIA: Intel Foundation announced top winners of the world’s largest pre-college science fair, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Natalie Saranga Omattage of Cleveland, Sana Raoof of Muttontown, NY and Yi-Han Su of Chinese Taipei were selected for their commitment to innovation and science.

In addition to the three $50,000 Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award winners, more than 500 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair participants received scholarships and prizes for their groundbreaking work.

Out of the contingent of eight students from India, seven have won coveted awards in categories ranging from electrical and mechanical engineering to environmental management, besides individual team projects.

Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences felicitated the winners. Talking about ISEF, Sibal said, “The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair is an excellent initiative to get young minds excited about science and technology. Earlier this year, we shared statistics on the increasing shortage of scientific researchers in India as compared to China. While the government is unveiling initiatives to support a steady interest in scientific research, a helping hand from the private sector including companies like Intel is critical. India needs to develop the next generation of scientific researchers and ensure a steady stream of employment opportunities to maintain our lead in science and technology. These winners give us hope as a country and I wish these students the very best for the future.”

Rahul Bedi, director, corporate affairs, Intel South Asia and India, business operations manager said, “To see students from across India win laurels at an international event of this scale shows the true power of dedication to scientific inquiry. This is the first time as many as seven students, a majority of whom are from non-metros, have won awards and they have made this country proud with their achievement”.

ISEF participants are selected through IRIS (Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science) - a program conducted in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India,Intel and CII. This initiative is the merger of Intel’s “Intel Science Talent Discovery Fair” and DST’s “Steer the Big Idea”.