The primary purpose of this three-day conference, planned jointly by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) with the Royal Scientific Society (RSS) and funded by the John Templeton Foundation, was to build intellectual strength in science and mathematics in extra-curricular programs for talented students in grades 6-12 within each of the Broader Middle East and North African (BMENA) countries.
Forty-one individuals representing 11 BMENA countries along with seven others were invited to speak based on their expertise or ability to provide leadership for a long-term effort to initiate or maintain programs. Some of their papers focused on identifying, developing and retaining mathematically and scientifically talented young people in their home countries. Others gave details on providing leadership in developing or providing funding to support efforts to increase the capacity within each country to work with talented adolescents outside of school. The program participants included philanthropists, business leaders, educators, and ministers of education, science, and technology.
The Conference was held under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah at the Royal Scientific Society in Amman, Jordan, 27-29 September 2010. The conference encouraged discussion between participants and guests about their perspectives and experiences in nurturing talent; how to make strategic investments; the roles of foundations in promoting sustainable societies; and the relationship and comparative advantages of foundations, NGOs and governments in meeting these needs of society.
View Conference presentations in English and Arabic below.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS, SEPTEMBER 2010
Day 1: Monday, 27 September 2010
Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan
President, Royal Scientific Society, Jordan
Welcoming Speech: Talent Development in Science and Mathematics within the BMENA Region
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Dr. Norman Neureiter
American Association for the Advancement of Science, USA
Vision: Building Mathematical and Scientific Talent in the BMENA Region
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Dr. Eleanor Robson
University of Cambridge, England
Keynote: Learning Mathematics and Science in the Ancient Middle East
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PANEL #1: PROGRAMS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS
Dr. Abdulaziz Salem Al-Harthi and Dr. Fawzi Al-Thukair
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
IMO: Saudi Arabia Tries to Improve Its Participation
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Dr. Hans Jordens
Netherlands
The International Physics Olympiad
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Dr. Nicolay Konstantinov
Russia
The International Tournament of the Towns/Russian Mathematical Classes
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Dr. Mark Saul
USA
Culture, Community and Creativity
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PANEL #2: OUTREACH
Hosni Mohammed
Morocco
Extra–Curricular Activities in the Kingdom of Morocco
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Dr. Abdalla Al Najjar
UAE
ASTF’s Work with GE and Intel that addresses young gifted students
Printed presentation unavailable at this time.
Dr. Wagdy Sawahel
Egypt
Science and technology development in Broader Middle East and North Africa region (BMENA). Present status and future prospects
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Dr. Ahmed Lablidi
Morocco
Distance Learning
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Mr. Omar Albannai
Kuwait
Director- Sabah Al-Ahmed, Center for Giftedness and Creativity
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PANEL #3: PROGRAMS & TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS
Dr. Poonpipope Kasemsap
Thailand
The International Biology Olympiad
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Dr. Jozsef Pelikan
Hungary
The International Mathematics Olympiad
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Prof. Seifeddine Snoussi
Tunisia
Problems Selecting Talented Students for the IMO; Solutions to These Problems
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Day 2: Tuesday, 28 September 2010
PANEL #4: FINDING TALENTED STUDENTS
Dr. Hassen Akrout
Tunisia
Tunisia Youth and Science Association promoting a scientific culture to the youth of Tunisia and the Arab world since 1974
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Dr. Abdullah Aljughaiman
KSA
Evaluation of Math and Science Summer Enrichment Programs in Saudi Arabia (Abstract)
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Dr. Fatma Al-Lawati
Oman
Barriers hindering the development of separate schools for gifted students
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Dr. Ghada Amer
Egypt
Programs and Opportunities for the Region that Engages ASTF
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Dr. Aref Husseini
Palestine
The Young Researcher (program insights): How to motivate talented students in science to take the lead in their society
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PANEL #5: JUBILEE SCHOOL
Ms. Suha Jouaneh Shahin
Jordan
Introduction to the Jubilee School
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Mr. Khaled Al-Hamad and Mr. Mahmoud Mansour
Jordan
Prime Numbers Study Using Computational Methods
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Eng. Abdelkhaleq Shboul
Jordan
How F1 in Schools Competition Affect the Teaching of Math and Science
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Mr. Ismail Y. Hasan
Jordan
Motivating Students for Math and Science Using Robotics Platforms
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Day 3: Wednesday, 29 September 2010
PANEL #6: LARGE PROGRAMS
Dr. Mohamed Albaili
UAE
Building Enrichment Curricula in Science and Math in the UAE
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Mr. Ayman Elsayed
Egypt
Choosing Kids with Talents in Science at Planetarium Science Center at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
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Ms. Lisa Reneé LaBonté
UAE
Brain Gain in the GCC: Igniting Future Prospects
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PANEL #7: LARGE PROGRAMS
Mr. Bader Ateyah
Bahrain; Ministry of Education
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Ms. Suha Kadri
Palestine
Al Nayzak Experience in Incubating Talented Students (grades 4-8) in Jerusalem
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PANEL #8: FOSTERING RESEARCH
Dr. Nadia Ghazzali
Canada
Moroccan Experience to Promote Science and Mathematics and to Stimulate Talents
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Dr. Zohra Ben Lakhdar
Tunisia
Nurturing Talent in the BMENA Region
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H.E. Senator Leila Abdul Hamid Sharaf
Jordan
Building Mathematical and Scientific Talent in the MENA Region
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