Four Islamabad students qualify for US science fair

Four students of Islamabad schools have been selected to represent Pakistan at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), being held at Portland US, in May 2004.
The four winners are: Mahwish Noor of City School, Usman Fazal of Islamabad Model College for Boys, F-8/4, and Abdul Rahman and Masab Toosi of Islamabad Model College for Boys, G-10/4.
About one hundred school children participated in the first Educational Science Olympiad held at the national Library premises, organised jointly by the Ministry of Education and the Intel Pakistan. They were selected for some innovative projects in science and technology.
Naila Kassim, Intel's education manager in Pakistan admitted at the prize giving ceremony that the judges were greatly involved in deciding on the winners and went over and over again on the selection of the winners. This delayed the start of the ceremony by more than hour.
She announced that Intel would organise another science Olympiad in December this year.
Earlier while the judges were closeted for making their selection, the chief guest Pervez Hoodbhoy, head of Physics Department of Quaid-I-Azam University, spoke on the benefits of science to the audience, which mostly comprised parents of the competing students.
He said it is trite to say science is key to a country's progress and development. But the real fascination of science is that it liberates the mind. To him, the greatest fascination lay in being involved in some problem, which sometimes rankles even in dreams. This is how the young scientists should see it and not take it as means to earn money. The pursuit of science is far more fulfilling in itself, Hoodbhoy added.
Continuing, he said that science has profound impact on our life. And it has brought about a change in view of the universe and stressed that knowledge of science is fundamental to a positive change in society.
Addressing the young participants, Hoodbhoy explained why he found science liberating and fascinating, because it takes one to a journey of far away worlds and allows creating new ones. Moreover, it provided the methodology to understand the world and make new concepts. It is extremely fascinating to imagine what's happening in the stars and beyond.
Hoodbhoy was glad that the budget for science education has increased manifold, but added that we also need to build up critical mindset. He was greatly impressed by the projects of the young kids, which kindled hope that we can also do as well as others.