Indian student Poorvi Hebba who represented India in Australia has won the top International science school award in Sydney on Thursday.
Hebba received the prestigious Len Basser Prize for Science Leadership at the Professor Harry Messel International Science School at the University of Sydney.
The International Science School has been hosted by the University’s School of Physics every two years since 1962 with support from the Physics Foundation to fully fund each student’s participation.
Outstanding aspiring young scientists from 46 countries which include Australia, India, China, Japan, US, UK, New Zealand are selected to take part in the fortnight-long feast of science and social activities by local selection panels on academic merit and aptitude.
Poorvi Hebba, attending from India, was selected from the 132 high-performing senior science students at the school.
She was described as being a quiet achiever, who is diligent and very innovative in her ideas, always showing great interest in the lectures and activities and easily and openly sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm, inspiring her peers and drawing their respect.
The Len Basser Prize remembers a long-serving and inspirational science teacher at Sydney Boys High School who is credited with inspiring countless eminent Australian scientists.
It’s given to scholars who share their enthusiasm and knowledge with their peers and help to enhance the group’s experience within the academic program.
Likewise, the International Science School is named after Professor Harry Messel who was ahead of his time in recognising the enormous benefit of offering an intensive immersion science program for high-achieving science students. He also recognised, and was a powerful advocate of the transformative power of science, technology, engineering and mathematics – or STEM – for society.
“I congratulate all the students who went through a rigorous selection process to take part in the International Science School, a great opportunity for a two-week immersion in lectures and hands-on science experiences for top senior science students,” Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Arthur Sinodinos said.
