Mumbai: The 2016 season of the Novozymes sponsored ‘Voice for BT’ event kicked with Ms Nabiha Sadique, a biotechnology graduate student from Mata Gujri College of Professional Studies, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh emerging as the winner at the event organized in St Xavier’s College in Mumbai on 2nd August 2016. The Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) is the Knowledge Partner to this event that started off in 2012.
The first runner up in the keenly contested event was Ms Mariya Mansoor Alam Ansari from Rishi Dayaram and Seth Hassaram College and SWA Science College, in Central Mumbai. The second runner-up slot went to ms Mathura Pravin More, a biotech student from Guru Nanak College of Artice, Science and Commerce, Mumbai.
“ The contest is part of our effort to spread awareness about the importance and benefits of biotechnology among the future leaders of our country, “ said M G S Krishnan, President and MD of Novozymes South Asia, Banglaore.
Dr Vivien Amonkar, head of department of biotechnology in St Xavier’s College was the chief guest of the event.
The winner got a cash prize of Rs 20,000 and also gets a 3-month internship at this Denmark founded world leader in industrial enzymes. The 1st runner up gets Rs 15,000 and a 2-month internship with Novozymes. The second runner-up gets Rs 10,000 and a month’s internship at Novozyme’s R&D facility in Bangalore.
Besides, the first two winners from each of the four zones – West, South, North and East—will compete at a grand national finale in Bangalore later this year.
The 18 students who represented their colleges based in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh were chosen through internal competitions within their institutions.
The students are given 3 topic to prepare a few days before and they are randomly assigned one of these topics just a few hours prior to the event start. All the 18 participants were given a certificate and a medal too.
The topic this year were:
1) Bio Fuels” is the way forward from an environment and economy point of view!
2) “Nutrition and food for all” is a big challenge with the growing population and increasing scarcity.
3) “Water Conservation” is serious concern with increasing Industrial pollution and reduced water beds
A 4-member jury of Dr Asha Khembavi, D Aditya Basu and Mr G S Krishnan, all from Novozymes and Mr Narayanan Suresh, COO of ABLE decided the winners.
Each participant gets 5 minutes to speak on and their performance on the following criteria:
a) Ability to think creatively
b) Communication effectiveness
c) Relevance to the topic
d) Conclusion
The Eastern regional contest is scheduled to take place at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha on August 26, 2016.
