Egypt participated in FameLab® International Finals in the UK
Cairo, 14 June 2016 – The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the British Council announce Dina El Zohiry, 21, fourth year biotechnology student at Cairo University has won FameLab®’s semi-final and has reached the Final competition last Wednesday at Cheltenham’s International Science Festival. 27 national science communicators competed in FameLab®’s semi-finals, 12 of which made it to the final competition: Egypt, Spain, Australia, Greece, US, UK, South Africa, Italy, Qatar, Malaysia, Poland, and Cyprus. Abhi Veerakumarasivam from Malaysia has won first place and was announced FameLab® International Winner 2016.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the British Council in Egypt announced Dina as “Egypt’s Face for Science” in FameLab®’s final national competition held last April post a five month tour in various Egyptian governorates to find the best candidate.
“Science and innovation form an integral part of the UK- Egypt relationship, and developing the skills of young people is a key area for us at the British Council. Through FameLab we do both, focus on developing young Egyptians’ skills while encouraging a positive attitude towards science and innovation,” said Jeff Streeter, Director, British Council Egypt.
FameLab® Competition was introduced in Egypt in 2009 in support of the government’s efforts to advance science and to build a culture that understands and supports the positive role science plays in the economic and social well-being. The Ministry has partnered with British Council Egypt to support and deliver the competition since its introduction to the country.
This year’s competition is supported by the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Programme, the Delegation of the European Union in Egypt, Misr El-Kheir Foundation, Al-Alfi Foundation, the National Research Centre, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, Beni Suef University, Suez Canal University, the Egyptian Radio and Television Union, and Al Masry Al Youm Corporation.
FameLab® is an international competition initiated by the Cheltenham Science Festival and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) in the UK. FameLab® International is delivered by Cheltenham festival’s global partner the British council.