[Ip-health] SciDev.Net Press Release: Malaysian journalist wins Science Journalism Award

[SciDev.Net]

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31 July 2008
For immediate release

Malaysian journalist wins Science Journalism Award

Shiow Chin Tan, a Malaysian journalist, is the recipient of the second 'IDR=
C=96SciDev.Net Science Journalism Award'.

Worth US$58,500, the award consists of a six-month internship with SciDev.N=
et (the Science and Development Network) which will allow Ms.Tan to develop=
 her professional skills as a science journalist.

During this period she will spend time working both in the organisation's m=
ain office in London, and reporting from the developing world.

=93This is a fantastic opportunity and I will do my best to make full use o=
f it," said Tan, who covers science for a leading Malaysian daily in Kuala =
Lumpur. =93I can=92t think of a better environment than SciDev.Net to gain =
valuable experience and skills in science reporting.=94

=93We look forward to welcoming Shiow Chin Tan to the team=94 said David Di=
ckson, Director of SciDev.Net. =93This internship will provide her with the=
 necessary skills to pursue her goals in science journalism =96 and in retu=
rn we will benefit from her insights as a journalist in Malaysia.=94

The 2008 Science Journalism Award attracted 156 applications from 39 develo=
ping countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Shio=
w Chin Tan was selected from a group of 4 finalists.

=93We were delighted with the number and quality of the submissions we rece=
ived,=94 Dickson added. =93The level of interest generated by the Award hig=
hlights the need to build capacity in science communication in the developi=
ng world, and SciDev.Net is committed to helping fulfill that need."

The award is one of four granted this year by the International Development=
 Research Centre (IDRC). Applications were invited by SciDev.Net from all j=
ournalists involved in science and health reporting.

Shiow Chin Tan will be based at SciDev.Net in London, United Kingdom. She w=
ill also spend time in a number of developing countries and should take par=
t in the The Global Ministerial Forum on Research for Health in November 20=
08 in Bamako, Mali. Two Francophone journalists will be based at Agence Sci=
ence-Presse in Montreal, Canada; and a Canadian English-speaking journalist=
 will be based at another institution. Each award will be valued at US$58,5=
00 to cover living and travel expenses.

IDRC has created these awards to "foster a vibrant culture of science journ=
alism" and to "promote a field-based understanding of developing countries'=
 scientific realities", according to Rita Bowry, Senior Program Officer, ID=
RC. =93These awards will enable them to use their professional skills to re=
port the work of scientists in the region more effectively to influence dec=
ision makers in their countries.=94

IDRC is funding the four awards through its Training and Awards Program.

*********************************
For a copy of the press release visit:  http://info.scidev.net/t/424443/878=
1465/8994/0/

For further information contact:
Anne-Caroline Duplat, marketing manager
Tel: =09+44 (0) 20 7292 9916
Fax: =09+44 (0) 20 7292 9929
Email:=09marketing@scidev.net

Notes for editors

IDRC
IDRC is a Canadian Crown corporation that works closely with researchers fr=
om the developing world in their search for how to build healthier, more eq=
uitable, and more prosperous societies.
www.idrc.ca

The Science and Development Network
SciDev.Net (The Science and Development Network) seeks to help individuals =
and organisations in the developing world make informed decisions on scienc=
e and technology-related issues that impact on social and economic developm=
ent. It does this by providing reliable and authoritative information throu=
gh a free-access website containing news, views and analysis about science =
and technology in the developing world.

In addition, SciDev.Net builds regional networks of individuals and institu=
tions that share its commitment to improving science and technology communi=
cation, and organises workshops and other events in the developing world to=
 build capacity in this field.

SciDev.Net is supported by the journals Nature and Science, as well as The =
Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS).

To find out more visit: www.scidev.net


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