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



www.isaaa.org