New Delhi: Eight proud innovators, national winners of the Intel Science Talent Discovery Fair (ISTDF) 2003 finals, will represent India at the Intel International Science Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) to be held in Portland, Oregon, USA from May 9-15, 2004.

Intel STDF is a national science fair aimed at infusing the spirit of discovery in school children and increasing their interest in Science and Technology.

This year for the first time Intel STDF was held in Hyderabad from December 17-19, 2003, at the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT). Prof. Javed Iqbal, Senior Research Scientist, Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd attended the fair as its honorable Chief Guest.

"We applaud the tremendous effort put in by all the participants and congratulate the winners. We wish them the very best of luck at ISEF 2004 and hope that they too, like their predecessors, will make the country proud," said Anjan Ghosh, Director, Public Affairs, Intel Technology India Ltd.

Prior to Intel STDF, 40 workshops were organized to orient teachers to get them to encourage their students to participate. In these sessions, leading scientists also gave tips to students on how to make quality projects. This year, over 150 projects were displayed in nine subject categories. Three best subject category winners in all the nine categories were awarded summer internships at several of the most renowned institutes in the country.

Eminent scientists from renowned institutes judged the three-day National Intel STDF event. Many laboratories and science institutes like Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Indian Space Research Orgainisation (ISRO), and Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) have worked with Intel STDF in promoting interest toward science amongst students and teachers.

For the pre-national fair and post national fair, over 55 institutes and labs provide complimentary use of laboratory facilities to the students short-listed for the national fairs and to the students selected for the Intel ISEF.

PTI