Oct 23, 201922 October 2019, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The UAE’s National Student Competition “Nuclear Science for Development” concluded today with one team winning the Finals ceremony, hosted at Khalifa University. The Finals included a thorough screening process where ten teams presented their projects exploring the role of nuclear energy in addressing sustainable development, namely to end hunger, address climate change and protect sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
The winning team was handpicked by a high-level jury comprising representatives and experts from the Ministry of Education, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), and the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Targeting high-school students in grades 9 to 12, the competition inspires them to explore the role of peaceful use of nuclear applications to serve the community and sustainable development at large. High-school students are encouraged to submit proposals showcasing how nuclear science and technology addresses one of the following Sustainable Development Goals: Zero Hunger, Climate Action and Life on Land.
The winning teams of the UAE’s second edition of “Nuclear Science for Development” student competition are
- Hydrogen power - Al Hudaibah Secondary School for Girls
- Insect Sterilization - Al-Heera Secondary School
“The young generations are vital for progress in the UAE. This initiative reflects the strategy of the UAE Government on education and social development, and showcases the big potential of our youth. We are very proud of the high number of participants and quality of proposals in the second edition of the competition, which gave UAE students a platform to express how they envision a future where nuclear science contributes to development. We will continue empowering the youth and supporting sustainable development through dynamic initiatives such as this competition with a valuable impact nationwide.” said H.E. Ambassador Hamad Al Kaabi.
Since the launch of the second edition of the competition in June this year, over 100 teams (400 students) registered their proposals to compete. A team of technical experts from the UAE and IAEA selected ten finalist teams who took part in the final round showcasing their projects to the jury and a wider audience.
The Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna launched the National “Nuclear Science for Development” Student Competition for the second year in cooperation with the UAE’s Ministry of Education, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and the IAEA.
The three categories of the competition correspond with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which the UAE adopted in 2015. The categories address: UN Goal # 2 “Zero Hunger” that aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. It also covers the UN Goal # 13 “Climate Action” which calls on countries to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts in light of the increasing Greenhouse gas emissions that are exacerbating global warming. And finally it addresses the UN Goal # 15 “Life on Land” to sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.
The winning team will win a trip to Vienna, Austria. They will have a number of field visits including to the IAEA laboratories in Seibersdorf; learn about nuclear power and the many beneficial applications of nuclear science and technology, and have a chance to meet with high level experts in the field. All finalists will also win an exclusive visit to the headquarters of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).