12 Omani youths to take part in London science forum
MUSCAT: The Research Council (TRC) has shortlisted 30 candidates for the interview to select 12 students who will represent the Sultanate at the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF), which will be held from July 25 to August 8.
This is from the 44 applications received and interviews for the 30 candidates that took place this week from May 27 to 30 and finally only 12 will be selected to participate at the 60th LIYSF. The 12 students, who will represent the Sultanate, will be selected by representatives of the sponsors of students’ participation in LIYSF.
Students’ participation at the LIYSF 2018 is funded by BP Oman, British Council, Al Habib & Co, Oman Shipping Company, The Anglo-omani Society and BAE Systems, and supported by Oman Air as the national carrier.
LIYSF is the first programme of its kind that targets youth in the area of science, technology and innovation unlike many other local programmes.
As the national and international policies focus on ‘Knowledge-based economy’, this forum provides comprehensive input to build the capacity of youth in science and technology.
It also promotes knowledge formation to create a new economic income and job generation. Therefore, TRC is keen on adopting such a programme to be aligned with its mission and vision for value capture.
Through LIYSF, TRC also aims to build the capacity of young Omanis to expand their knowledge in the area of science and technology through their exposure to workshops, lectures and visits to UK’S leading universities, such as Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College.
In addition, they get the opportunity to attend lectures by leading international scientists from around the world. They also get the opportunity to visit leading laboratories and institutes, such as Airbus and Rolls Royce.
Taqwa al Lawati, Director of Promotion Department at TRC, said, “The applications this year were open to students of the Faculty Mentored Undergraduate Research Award Programme, which is one of TRC’S programmes that includes successful projects that should be highlighted internationally. The projects are supervised by professors from various universities and colleges in Oman, which ensures the highest quality of the projects.”
“More than 44 applications were received from all the higher education institutes in Oman which proves that there are many innovative projects in Oman that require greater support,” she added.
“The story of LIYSF gets more interesting each year. We started from sending 3 students in 2016 and this year we are sending 12 students. It proves the ability of Omani youth to represent the country in international forums and to be innovative Omani ambassadors,” Taqwa said.
“Such increasing number of participants proves the positivity of public-private partnership to enhance the youth-related programmes especially in science and technology,” she said.
LIYSF is the first programme of its kind that targets youth in the area of science, technology and innovation unlike many other local programmes