Silver Hour-Glass Educational Prize 2006 won by Patricia Osseweijer

Patricia Osseweijer is the founder of the Imagine Life Sciences institute. This body organises an annual competition in which secondary school students elaborate the proposal of a scientist for useful and affordable applications of biotechnology in a developing country. Scientists and secondary school students are brought together in this way, so that not only do the students follow a learning trajectory but the scientists are also stimulated to communicate actively with society about their research. Funding is sought for the winning project, which is then actually carried out. The jury believes that this combination of education, science and development collaboration is highly original, revitalising and successful. It is a classic example of successful communication about the opportunities offered by biotechnology. In addition to her activities for Imagine, Patricia Osseweijer is one of the directors of the Kluyver Centre for Genomics of Industrial Fermentation. This is a collaborative effort between five universities and four scientific institutes. 

The Silver Hour-Glass is a biennial prize awarded in two categories. The innovation prize is awarded to researchers or entrepreneurs who work in an exceptional and innovative manner with scientific knowledge within biotechnology. The educational prize is awarded to teachers who have made a revitalising original contribution to biotechnological education, and who have also contributed to the positive image of biotechnology. The prizes are intended to focus attention on valuable biotechnology developments and thereby contribute to a positive image of this field. Each of the prizes includes an amount of € 2,000 made available by the Netherlands Biotechnology Association (Niaba) and the Stichting Biotechnologie Nederland (SBN). The Silver Hour-Glasses will be presented on March 16, 2006 during the NBC-11 conference in Ede.