Australian science students for Israel
Eight Australian science students have joined the five New Zealanders en route to Israel to participate in the world’s most important youth scientific conference next week.
Nicky Gluch
In celebration of science and friendship, Jerusalem’s Hebrew University will host brilliant young scientists from across Asia at the prestigious annual conference of the Asian Science Camp in conjunction with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The camp will bring together 300 passionate participants, aged 17-21 through some 20 delegations from all over Asia and the Pacific. Delegates will have the opportunity to build ties with other young people destined to lead scientific research in their countries.
The camp, in its seventh year, is the initiative of a number of Nobel Prize Laureates in the Sciences from eastern Asia, who set themselves the goal of creating a platform to locate and promote the future generation of scientists from Asia, and to create a link that transcends borders and nationalities through the universal language of basic science.
The Australian delegation, led by Ruth Carr includes former school captains Liam Nicholson and Talia Rose; Matthew Paterson, who looks forward to an international career as a research scientist; first year Bachelor of Medical Science student Nicky Gluch; Lachlan Spicer, who hopes to create a movie about his Asian Science Camp experience, and Yindi Sutton, Elyse Hudson and Megan Furphy, who are all looking forward to futures in science.
Participant 18-hr-old Sydney-based Nicky Gluch who went to Reddam College says she is looking forward to returning to the Hebrew University having visited its beautiful and historic campus on AUJS’s Academy program in January. She said, ‘I’m looking forward to collaborating with young scientists from across the region and hearing from academics about influential scientific issues in society on topics as diverse as drug design and the phenomena of war and peace. Israel has always been at the forefront of scientific and technological developments and it will be a wonderful opportunity to hear from some of the minds behind such progress!’
Lillian Lesueur the Executive Director of Australian Science Innovations says she is proud to send such an outstanding group of young people to attend the camp. “This is a special group of people who will represent Australia with great enthusiasm and intelligence,” said Ms Lesueur.
The Israeli delegation to the Science camp will comprise 35 brilliant young Jews and Arabs, who have demonstrated excellence in science and been touted as Israel’s next generation of scientific leaders.
The young scientists will be joined by five Nobel prize-winners in the Sciences from Israel and abroad, along with world class researchers, who will share their knowledge and experience in the spheres of physics, chemistry, the life sciences, and mathematics. These eminent professionals will guide plenary sessions, round table discussions and student master classes.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to experience the outstanding culture and beauty of Israel with tours of Jerusalem, Jaffa, Masada and the Dead Sea planned.
2012 marks “Asia’s Year in Israel”, and the camp is the flagship event occurring as part of year-long celebrations commemorating the establishment of diplomatic relations with The People’s Republic of China (20 years), India (20 years), The Republic of Korea (40 years) and Japan (60 years).
The opening event will be held with the President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres. It will showcase the integration of innovative technological elements into science that will express the Israeli spirit of innovation and creative thinking.
Five Nobel Prize Laureates plus Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, President Shimon Peres and 25 leading scientists will participate in the conference.
