Entries for 2012 Profile Awards now open

As innovation in science and technology continues, it is essential for all, from governments and business through to the person on the street, to stay up-to-date with the latest developments. Advancements in science and technology can help to create safer and healthier societies, a cleaner environment and knowledge-driven economies across Africa.

The media plays a vital role in sharing these stories and explain the important subjects that are driving change and creating a more sustainable future. The primary objective of the Profile Awards competition is to recognise and reward those writers and broadcasters who effectively report on science and technology on the continent.

The Profile Awards competition, sponsored by Siemens, is supported by the South African Department of Science and Technology.

Categories

Making it easier for entrants to categorise their work as well as broadening the potential scope of submissions, entries can be submitted in the following five categories:

• Energy Efficiency. This category covers fields such as environmental technologies; power generation, transmission and distribution; intelligent electricity consumption, lighting, buildings, transportation, etc.

• Sustainable Cities. This category covers fields in urban infrastructure such as transport; water; energy, buildings security, etc.

• Industrial Productivity. This category covers fields such as industrial automation, drives technologies, digital engineering and industrial IT, African industry and manufacturing like mining, food and beverage, water, cement, automotive, etc.

• Healthcare. This category covers fields such as diagnostic imaging and therapy; laboratory diagnostics; healthcare IT; integrated healthcare solutions; rural healthcare; women's health; cancer treatment and therapy; HIV AIDS, etc.

• Student Journalism Award. This category is applicable for all entries from students who are studying journalism and have covered stories in the area of science and technology related to the above categories.

The closing date for entries is the 17th of August 2012. Although the language of interaction within the programme is English, the continent's diversity is accommodated by the awards, with entries accepted in Arabic, English, French and Portuguese.

An awards ceremony will be held on 26 October 2012, as part of the Sustain Our Africa Change Agent Awards in Cape Town, South Africa.

For more, go to www.profileawards.co.za