Fifth “Atoms for Africa” online video competition for Sub-Saharan Africa youth has finally come to its finale. After casting over 14000 votes online, the public chose three winners out of top 10 that were pre-selected by the jury from 66 applications. Three teams from Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania each received over 2000 votes and won an all-expenses paid trip to Russia. The participants of seven other shortlisted videos will be rewarded with commemorative certificates and gifts.
This year, young people from Central and Southern Africa were invited to research how nuclear technologies can assist in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) on the continent. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals address poverty, hunger, human health, clean water, affordable and clean energy, industry and innovation as well as climate change, to name but a few. The competition was organized by ROSATOM in cooperation with EnerConnect as well as the African Young Generation in Nuclear and South African Young Nuclear Professionals Society.
The winners will make their journey following the steps of winners of 4 previous years. Since its inception in 2015, a total of 36 winning participants have already visited various state-of-the-art Russian nuclear facilities and well-known Moscow landmarks, top nuclear universities as well as other scientific and technological facilities. Winners will also meet African students currently studying various nuclear disciplines in Russia.
Gaopalelwe Santswere, AYGN Interim President and SAYNPS Executive Chairperson highlighted that over past 10 years, more and more African countries began to explore various nuclear technologies as viable options that contribute to sustainable development. “Countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia are all currently actively exploring various nuclear technologies to solve a number of issues hampering development. Opportunities like “Atoms for Africa” competition allow young generation to truly understand the immense benefits that nuclear technologies can bring to their countries and the wellbeing of their people”.
Mr. Dmitry Shornikov, CEO of ROSATOM Central and Southern Africa outlined the company’s commitment towards supporting the development of young nuclear professionals. “One of our key missions at ROSATOM is to assist the brightest young minds from across the globe to shape the future of energy by solving global challenges”. He added: “This is a great opportunity for young people from very different walks of life who share a common passion to build a bright and sustainable future for Africa to discover more about various nuclear applications and their vast benefits for the region”.
The list of winners who were awarded the first prize – all-expenses paid trip to Russia:
· Winner #1 – Egbe Joy, Derick Nwasor and Oghale Trust Yome from Nigeria.
· Winner #2 – Edgar John, Ritha Deusdedit and Theresia Mbuli from Tanzania.
· Winner #3 – Wafula Lukorito, Job Ogenche and Felix Kipng'etich from Kenya.
