ASLN Announces Second National Life Science Contest

By Oluchi Chibuzor

The African Science and Literacy Network (ASLN) have announced the opening of the second national life science competition that would see winners paired with experts for long term mentorship and training on creativity and innovation.

The competition is open to students in tertiary institutions from colleges, polytechnic and universities studying any course and any Nigerian secondary schools.

Announcing the essay competition recently, the Research Fellow in Sussex Neuroscience and Founding Director for Science Communication Hub Nigeria, Dr. Mahmoud Maina said by organising this competition, it plans to raise awareness about life sciences.

He said in his outreach experience in the past eight years across Africa, especially Nigeria, “I have realised we have many talented young students, but often not motivated, especially in areas of sciences and lacking local role models.”

According to the science hub, the timeline involves three phases starting from March 29 to July, 4, 2021, with a pre-qualification quiz to be taken via the organisers website as participants with the highest score will be contacted with instruction on the next phase of the competition.

However, qualified participants will be required to submit 400 to 500 words essay on ‘the role societies and communities play in tackling pandemics’, followed by an online life science pitch.

Maina said the competition will also motivate students and get them to think critically on how to solve societal challenges through scholarship, adding that the winners will then get paired with role models who can guide them in their career.

“The written essays of the finalists and winners will be published to support the writer’s development and transform their ideas into solutions. Eventually, these kinds of initiatives will develop our young students into critical thinkers and raise public understanding of science, helping develop our society through education and research.

“There are many competitions organised annually in Nigeria, but none is specifically in the life sciences despite its importance. This is what prompted us to start this competition initially.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a clear example of the importance of life sciences since life scientists are at the forefront of research to stop the pandemic. The feedback from last year’s competition was highly positive from the participants and the public. A combination of these, for us, is a clear indication that it is necessary to continue,” he said.

The winners are expected to win cash prizes of N100,000, N75, 000, N50,000 for the the first, second and third positions, respectively aside from other special and additional prizes and benefits.

Finalists and winners will also be paired with experts for long term mentorship and training organised by Sprint for Social Good on creativity and innovation.