RIYADH, 9 February 2005 — Before long, smart kids may be able to cash in on their talent while they’re still in school. The Ministry of Education and Modern Electronics Co. Ltd. launched the “Sony Creative Science Award” at the Crystal Ballroom of the Al-Faisaliah Hotel to foster and promote science education among schoolchildren.
“The partnership with the Ministry of Education will play an important role in the success of the event. We are confident that this award will go a long way in nurturing and educating the students in basic applications of science,” said Prince Muhammad K.A. Al-Faisal, AFG Group president, at a well-attended press conference.
The competition initially will be held among students from the General Directorate for Gifted Students of the Ministry of Education, but it may include other students in the Kingdom in its second year.
The first prize will be SR10,000; second prize, SR7,000; third prize, SR5,000 and fourth to 10th prizes, SR1,000 each. The prizes will be in the form of vouchers to be used to purchase appliances or electronics products from Sony showrooms.
Following the announcement, the contest kicks off with the initial training of the teachers on Saturday, which will be followed by workshops in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam on March 5 and March 14. Deadline for the submission of scientific toys created by the youngsters will be May 7 and May 8.
The final screening and selection of the winners will be on May 28 and May 30, and the distribution of prizes will take place on June 18.
“Sony strongly believes that science, technology and creativity are important elements in building a knowledge-based society,” said Masahiro Tamura, Sony Electronics‚ Asia Pacific managing director. “It’s only fair that we extend this project to the students of Saudi Arabia,” he said. “With the help of the Ministry of Education and our partners at Modern Electronics we hope that it will be as successful as it was when it was launched in Singapore, Malaysia and other countries.”
“I’m pleased that our national private companies and establishments are contributing to the special educational programs and activities by sponsoring our young talent,” said Shaikh Ali Al-Wazrah, manager of the General Directorate for Gifted Students. “By introducing the award, Modern Electronics Company has found a way to support the inventiveness and creativity of our young students.”
The award was first initiated in Singapore in 1998 and has become one of the most popular competitions among schools in the city-state.
