British Council announces the winner of West India finals at IIT Powai Tech Fest

· Varun Suresh, Student from NIRRH wins the first place

· Marks first year of FameLab – the world’s largest international science competition, in India

· Shortlisted applicants include students from leading institutions of Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad and Nagpur

· Participants underwent an extensive 3-day science communication workshop with eminent science communicator Prof Iain Stewart, Plymouth University, UK and Indian facilitators from Wellcome-DBT and Nature India

· The participants communicated their science ideas to a judging panel in three succinct minutes

· Winners will compete at India Nationals with the India Finals representing India at FameLab International Grand Finale at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK in June 2017

Mumbai, December 20, 216:FameLab, the world’s largest science communications programme brought to India by British Council, has received an overwhelming response from West India. With entries from top educational institutions from Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad and Nagpur, 28 participants were shortlisted to compete at the West India Finals scheduled on 16 December 2016.

Varun Suresh, a student from NIRRH won the first place; Ravina More, student of COEP, Pune bagged the second place and Mayur Bonkile was awarded the third place.

The regional winners will compete at the India finals later, to be held at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune in January 2017. The India winners will represent the country at the FameLab International Grand Finale at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK in June 2017.

FameLab aims at presenting scientific concepts in an interesting and innovative manner to the general public. The West India finals had representation from institutions such as IIT Bombay, IUCAA Pune, IISER Pune, TIFR, University of Mumbai, Pune University, NIRRH, ICT, Symbiosis School of Medical Biosciences, NCCS, NCL, Ruia College, Jai Hind College. The 28 participants participated in an exclusive masterclass, where they received training in science communication from eminent science communicator Prof Iain Stewart from Plymouth University.

Commenting on the encouraging response from West India, Sharon Memis, Director, British Council West India, said, “FameLab is such a fantastic programme that nurtures the discipline of communicating science. There is so much talent and ambition, we know that this will help sharpen the expression of fabulous ideas. With the global experience that FameLab presents, we’re delighted to have the opportunity to nurture India’s future.”

FameLab encourages scientists and STEM workers to inspire and excite new audiences with science. The training and competition format provide a platform to show the public the exciting side of science; enhance their communication and presentation skills; engage with like-minded individuals; and join a unique, international alumni network.

Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)