Intel Sponsors 9 Nigerian Students to Science fair in South Africa

In a move that validates its mantra of being ‘sponsors of tomorrow’ global technology company Intel is sponsoring nine Nigerian science students drawn from three secondary schools in the country to South Africa to compete in a science competition involving all secondary schools in Africa.

Known as the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, the fair is South Africa’s biggest science fair for secondary school students, where they have an opportunity to exhibit their own scientific investigations and possible inventions.

The Nigerian contingent comprises of the 9 science students who emerged winners at the national finals of the Intel and Shell sponsored 8th National Festival of School Science and Quiz which held at the amphi-theatre of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkporlu, Port Harcourt, in May.

The young Nigerian scientists were drawn from Calvary Arrows Secondary School Gboko in Benue, Niger Delta Science College, Port Harcourt, Rivers state and the Community Secondary School Aka Ufot in Akwa Ibom state. Some of the outstanding scientific investigations being showcased by the Nigerian delegation include the use of cassava extracts for making plastics by Community Secondary School, Akwa Ibom; Niger Delta Science college Port Harcourt is showcasing its investigation on an automatic multi-phase selector with a generating plant while Calvary Arrows Secondary School would display its work on the production of a tri-powered lawn mower.

The Corporate Affairs Manager of Intel Nigeria Mr. Osagie Ogunbor said Intel is helping to transform the lives of millions of people through its respective engagements in Education the world over. According to him, this initiative is part of the Intel World Ahead Education Initiative. He said “as a technology company, Intel is committed to collaborating with other organizations, governments and policy-makers to embark on projects that stimulate the interest of Nigerian students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). He said this has become more imperative due to the increasing need for home-grown technology.

Eskom Expo brings together students, teachers, professional organisations and educational bodies and governments from sub Saharan Africa. Students can enter their own individual single project, or a maximum of three students can work together on a group project to compete in 25 different categories.

Intel is the world leader in chips and silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live  and works with different partners and stakeholders to help people experience technology better.