Speaking during a press conference about new developments regarding the award, which is part of the celebrations of 50 years of national independence, José Octávio Serra Van-Dúnem informed - cited in a statement from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, that VerAngola had access to - that a total of "168 applications were received, after a first evaluation. In the first phase, 82 candidates were approved for the second phase, making a total of 49 percent of applications received".
This prize is valued at 82 million kwanzas. "This 1st edition of the National Science and Innovation Award has a global value of 82 million kwanzas to award the three best classified in the eight categories provided for in the regulations", explains the guardianship.
The eight categories are: National Science Award; National Innovation Award; National Invention Award; National Career Award; National Woman Scientist Award; National Young Scientist Award; National Young Innovator Award and National Young Inventor Award.
The Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Alice de Ceita e Almeida, who chaired the press conference, which took place this Wednesday, explained the distribution of the global amount across the eight categories.
"For the top three in each category, the values are six million kwanzas, second place three million and third place two million, this for the categories National Science Award; National Innovation Award; National Invention Award and also for the Woman Scientist category", she said.
"So the National Career Award, first place the prize is 12 million kwanzas, the second six million kwanzas and the third four million kwanzas. For the other categories National Young Scientist Award; National Young Innovator Award and Young Inventor the values are for the first placed in each category three million kwanzas, second placed one million and a half and third placed one million", she added, quoted by Rádio Nacional de Angola (RNA).
It will be next month that the winners will be announced. According to the ministry, the winners will be announced on December 13th, in a ceremony that will be held at the Talatona Convention Center.
The deputy coordinator of the Organizing Committee of the National Science and Innovation Award, Antonio de Alcochete, was also present at the press conference.
This award concerns an ongoing activity that is part of the Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation sector programs, "provided for in the Education, Youth, Employment and Innovation Policy of the National Development Plan 2023-2027".
"The award's main objectives are to stimulate and recognize the contributions of scientific researchers, inventors and innovators who, with their efforts and dedication, drive the sustainable development of Angola, encourage creativity in the production of scientific research work and technological innovation for search for solutions to social, economic and environmental problems that affect Angolan society, encourage the participation of young people and women in scientific research, invention and technological innovation activities, among others", says the ministry.
