By KUNA
Paris : Up to five outstanding women researchers from five continents will receive this years LOREAL-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science, recognizing their work in life sciences during a ceremony that will be held at the Organization on Thursday.
The ceremony, which will be attended by all former winners of the Award as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the LOREAL-UNESCO For Women in Science partnership.
Also, over 30 of the worlds leading women scientists will sign the LOREAL-UNESCO Charter of Commitment For Women in Science at UNESCO ahead of the ceremony, which affirms the signatories long-term dedication to promote women in science. The LOREAL-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science recognize five laureates annually, one from each of the five continents. Among the laureates this year is a Professor from the UAE, Lihadh Al-Gazali, who is the laureate for the Africa and Arabic States continent.
The laureates are conferred to scientists working in life sciences and material sciences in alternating years. With the 2008 Awards in life sciences, a total of 52 women scientists from 26 countries, whose work has improved human well-being, will have been recognized. Each Laureate will be receiving USD 100,000.
The partnership also recognizes and supports young women post-doctoral students through the UNESCO-LOREAL International Fellowships for Women in Science.
These two-year fellowships, worth up to USD 40,000 each, allow 15 young women, around the world, to pursue their research in the life sciences outside their country of origin.
One of the Fellows this year is a Kuwaiti woman, Jamila Zamoun, who will be receiving her fellowship during a ceremony that will be held also at UNESCO on Wednesday. Since 2001, more than 200 doctoral students in over 20 countries have received LOREAL National Fellowships, supported by the UNESCO National Commissions. UNESCO has been dedicated to eliminating all forms of discrimination and promoting equality between men and women since its establishment over 60 years ago.
As well as developing educational program in science particularly designed for girls, UNESCO has established a series of academic chairs creating networks of women in science around the world.