Tánaiste Micheál Martin has welcomed an agreement between the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) to establish similar competitions in developing countries, especially in Africa.
“The agreement will support the Department of Foreign Affairs and the BTYSTE in their work towards increasing the number of countries participating in the International YSTE,” he said.
“By doing so, Ireland will enable young people to engage, often for the first time, in science and technology. This will create life-changing opportunities for young people, particularly girls, who too often do not have access to these fields,” Mr Martin added.
He signed a memorandum of understanding with BTYSTE chair Prof Pat Guiry which will support the DFA and the BTYSTE in the development of further competitions such as those already established by Ireland’s embassies in Kenya and Jordan.
“This will contribute to Ireland’s ongoing work in the area of education and encourage young people, particularly girls, to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics [Stem],” he said.
“The BTYSTE plays a critical role in encouraging young people in Ireland to develop their learning in areas that are increasingly defining the modern world. Our embassies in Kenya and Jordan have spearheaded the establishment of local competitions based on the successful Irish model,” Mr Martin added.
The competitions were first staged with the help of former Irish ambassador Dr Vincent O’Neill when he was based in those countries. He was at the BTYSTE this week to welcome the winners of the national partner programmes; the Young Scientists Kenya and the Jordan Young Scientists initiative who attended this year’s event and showcased their work.
The Jordanian winners developed an advanced medical system that employs artificial intelligence to analyse large volumes of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. “It detects brain tumours with an accuracy rate exceeding 90 per cent,” said Wasfi Al-Rashdan.
With colleagues Mohammad Al-Shorman and Ahmad Al-Shatnawi from Yarmouk University Model School in Irbid, the 17-year-olds pursued the project to address the problem of misdiagnosis and delay in identifying tumours and treatment.
“This is our first time in a science competition. We worked very hard. It was a surprise when we won,” said Wasfi, who hopes to study medicine at university.
Their algorithm helps detect brain patterns and then tumours. They have worked with local hospitals and hope to further develop the technology to identify particular tumour types, he added.
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