Lankan students to take part in Intel science fair

The Ministry of Education and Intel together are providing an opportunity for Sri Lankan students to take part in the Intel Science and Engineering Fair in 2008.

The ISEF has been organized for 10 years with this year's fair being held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, Intel's Regional Manager for Sri Lanka Indika De Soyza told The Sunday Times FT.

Sri Lanka entered the competition this year and it takes about a year to prepare the students, he said.

Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Ariyaratne Hewage said this type of Public-Private Partnership is beneficial for the students of Sri Lanka to take their achievements to the international level.

A circular has been sent to all the schools under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and the competition is open mainly to students in the secondary education stream.

The Ministry, together with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Institute of Engineers of Sri Lanka (IESL) will conduct competitions throughout the country.

Winners of these competitions will participate in a provincial competition and later a national competition.

The winners at this level will be sent for the ISEF in 2008 which is tentatively scheduled for April/May 2008 in the USA.

"Development and the improvement of the education sector is not only the responsibility of the government and the Ministry of Education.

We need the help of the private sector as well," Hewage said adding that this is a timely step in that direction.
(LP)