FameLab competition started in the UK in 2005 and was organized in Egypt for the first time in 2010 by the British Council and the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) programme. The competition aims at finding new talents in communicating science to the public in a simple and an attractive way.



The Idea of the Competition



Contestants, including myself, were asked to present a scientific idea in 3 minutes only in a simple and attractive way to a live audience. The contestants were then judged by by a panel of experts for the content and clarity of their 3-minute science talks and for their charisma on stage. 

More than 300 contestants took part in the first competition in 2010 including science professionals, doctors, engineers, and science students. The top 10 winners of the local heats in Cairo, Alexandria, and Assiut were qualified to compete in the national final.

 

The Jury

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The jury panel during the final contest included Dr. Fayza Aboul Naga, the former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Nadia El-Awady, the former President of the World Federation for Science Journalists (2009 – 2011), Hend Sabry, a famous actress, and Dr. Abdel Hamid El-Zoheiry, the Director of the RDI programme. 



The Award



Each of the top 10 finalists received the following:

  - Two-day masterclass in science communication in Ain-Sukhna Red

    Sea resort given by an expert from the United Kingdom

  - iPhone

  - Laptop



In addition, the 1st winner (Hazem Shoirah) and the 2nd winner (myself) won a trip to the UK to attend the Cheltenham Science Festival, where the 1st winner took part in the international final competition of FameLab (See Gallery).

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After FameLab

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FameLab sparked my passion for science communication and for the popularization of science in the Egyptian society as well as in the broader Arab society. 

Science is the key to development that will fulfill the demands raised by the Arab Spring revolutions in my country, Egypt, and in other Arab countries.

Spreading a culture of science can help promote the values of freedom, equality, and productivity to overcome decades of dictatorship and corruption.



For that cause, efforts continue in cooperation with other famelab colleagues to come up with initiatives for science communication to reach out for the public through interactive events and through local, regional, and web-based media outlets.



For ideas, offers, proposals, or any other forms of support, please feel free to contact me (see contact details).