Bhavans Kuwait Launches Bhavans India Science Forum (BISF)

Sunday, March 26, 2023

It is believed that when young students learn the fundamentals of science during their formative school years, they can apply that knowledge to other areas of their lives and easily pick up STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills, which will better prepare them for their future academic and professional endeavors, and the budding scientists in their first flush of youth will be lured to the beauty of the scientific wonders of the universe at the onset of their earliest educational memories at school.

With the goal of fostering a scientific temperament in children, giving them firsthand experiences through inventions and discoveries, and integrating scientific topics presented in textbooks to the actual world, Bhavans Kuwait launched Bhavans India Science Forum (BISF) on March 25, 2023, in a grand inaugural ceremony held in the school auditorium at 10 a.m. followed by a science exhibition in school basketball court. The chief guest for the day was Engr. Ahmad Ibrahim Haji, a renowned, competent, and successful mechanical engineer working as the Department Manager of the Scientific and Technical Innovation Department at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research.

The programme emceed by Zara Imtiyas and Advaith Jainkumar commenced with the national anthem of Kuwait, followed by the recitation of a few verses from the Holy Quran. The lighting of the lamp was conjointly performed by the chief guest, Mr. Ahmad Ibrahim Haji, the distinguished judges for the day, the principal of Smart Indian School, Mr. Mahesh Iyer and the principal of Indian Education School, Mr. T. Premkumar. Following the prayer song in Sanskrit, the Vice-president of the Student Parliament, Zara Imtiyas, extended a convivial welcome to the chief guest, Engr. Ahmad Haji, and the judges for the exhibition, Engr. Fatma Shah Aswar Mohammad, a management analyst in the Scientific and Technical Innovations Department at the Kuwait Institution for Scientific Research, Dr. Ali Quoreshi, a research scientist working with Environment and Life Sciences Research Center (ELSRC), under Desert Agriculture and Ecosystem Program (DAEP), Kuwait, and Dr. S. Chidambaram, a research scientist from the Water Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research and a geologist with developed expertise in the field of hydro geochemistry and isotope hydrology. She also warmly welcomed the other dignitaries comprising Mr. T. Premkumar, Principal, Indian Education School, Kuwait, Mr. Mahesh Iyer, Principal, Smart Indian School, the Vice-principals of Indian Education School, Kuwait, Ms. Meenakshi Nayyar and Mr. Binoy Mathew, and the Headmistress of IES, Ms. Muneera Mammikutty.

Ms. Meenakshi Nayyar, Vice-principal, Senior Wing, IES, introduced BISF and unveiled the logo- designed by a student of IES, Jonah George - to the august gathering. The principals of IES and SIS jointly presented a memento to the chief guest as a token of gratitude from Bhavans Kuwait.

Engr. Ahmad Haji, in his keynote address, profusely thanked Bhavans Kuwait for inviting the members of Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research to the launching of the BISF. He talked about the contributions of Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research in the fields of research and science in Kuwait. He, while quoting the words of Thomas Alva Edison, “I have not failed 10,000 times — I've successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.”, advised the scientists in the making not to get demotivated by failures while they immerse in the world of research. He also requested the students to believe in themselves and respect their teachers and parents who are the real guides helping in their pursuit of discoveries. He urged parents to support their children by ensuring that they participate in all the activities that stimulate their creativity and help them explore the world of science. He addressed the teachers specifically, saying that they should equip their students with the knowledge of cutting-edge technology and the latest scientific advancements.

Mr. Mahesh Iyer, principal, SIS, shared his deep delight in being a part of introducing BISF and appreciated the teachers of Science for their flawless planning and execution.

In the first edition of BISF exhibition started at 11 a.m. there were six teams representing three schools from Kuwait: three teams from Aspire Indian International School, two teams from Smart Indian School and one team from IES. The junior team of SIS consisting of Ayush Nimal Girish, Bhavya Basanth and Govind Ranjith, presented the project ‘Smart Utilization of Roads for the Generation of Electricity, the first junior team of Aspire Indian International School comprising Arfa Aala Ayoob, Sanskriti Gupta, Mariam Zahirul Islam and the second junior team of AIIS, Scott Thomas, Adith Arvind and Jeron Jaison exhibited their projects ‘Spice It Up -Pom Masala’ and ‘Bee Co Candle’ respectively, and Ameya Haribhaskar and Arya Jainkumar representing the junior team of IES introduced ‘ Biodegradable Straws from Eco Palm Reeds’. In the senior category, Liya Brightsun Karalath and Halima Shabbir of AIIS and Ishaan Sethi, Rohit Saimon and Huzaifa Areeb of SIS presented ‘Eggshell Pack’ and ‘Protecting Sea from Evaporation’ respectively.

In the closing ceremony the judges expressed their tremendous satisfaction in evaluating the projects of top-notch standard. They unanimously stated that they were immensely impressed by the projects and their presentations. Some very useful tips on presenting projects in a more impressive manner too were shared with the young scientists. Mementos were presented to the judges, appreciating their valuable presence and accurate judgment. Mr. T. Premkumar, principal, IES, while addressing the gathering expressed his deep-felt gratitude to the chief guest and the judges for gracing the occasion with their graceful presence despite their busy schedules and the teachers of Science Department for extending their wholehearted support in making the event a phenomenal success. He thanked the Principal of Aspire Indian International school and the teachers for motivating their students to become innovators and present their projects. He announced the results of the exhibition, and the chief guest distributed the prizes and certificates to the winners.

The team from Aspire Indian International School comprising Liya Brightsun Karalath and Halima Shabbir won the first position; another team from the same school, Arfa Aala Ayoob, Sanskriti Gupta, Mariam Zahirul Islam won the second position. The duo of IES, Ameya Haribhaskar and Arya Jainkumar bagged the third position. Participation certificates were presented to the other participants from SIS and AIIS. Advaith Jainkumar, Minister of Cultural Affairs, Student Parliament, proposed the vote of thanks. There was a photo session of the winners with the chief guest and the judges. The event then came to a close with the national anthem of India.

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