NaCRRI-UBIC Holds Awards Ceremony for Maiden Biotech Essay Contest

The National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) hosted the awarding ceremony for the first annual National Biotechnology Essay Writing Contest on 22 May 2014. The essay contest, organized annually by the Uganda Biosciences Information Centre (UBIC), aims to build interest and enhance public awareness about modern biotechnology among the youth in Uganda.

The biotech essay contest attracted 60 competing essays in two categories: Secondary schools and post-secondary educational institutions. The contest winners were Ohairwe Maxim of King's College, Budo and Okwasiimire Rodney from the Makerere University, School of Biological Sciences, for the respective categories. The winners each received a brand new laptop and a commemorative plaque. Barbara Zawedde, UBIC coordinator, urged students to view the competition as an incentive to learn and develop interest in science to address societal needs.

The NaCRRI Director, in his opening remarks, emphasized the importance of nurturing the next generation of Ugandan scientists and innovators to drive national transformation, while the Director of Crop Resources in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Okasaai Opolot observed that the essay contest presented an opportunity for attracting youth to careers in the agricultural sciences. The keynote address was delivered on behalf of the Minister of State for Higher Education. He encouraged the students to continue on the exciting journey of discovery and exploration of the potentials of biotechnology.

UBIC published a booklet featuring the winning essays and this was distributed to the attendees of the awarding ceremony. UBIC will give copies of the booklet to various stakeholders as an initiative to share information on biotechnology from the viewpoint of the youth.

To get a copy of the booklet and for more information about biotechnology in Uganda, please send an email to ubic.naccri@gmail.com.