Siemens Profile awards-09 draws closer

The 2009 Siemens Africa Profile Awards competition is drawing nearer to the deadline as it seeks entries to honour African journalists who excel in science and technology journalism, according to the Manager Media Relations at Siemens Southern Africa, Ms Sithembile Mokaeane, reports CHARLES OKOH.

A press statement from her office in Midrad, South Africa showed that the Siemens Profile Awards, now in its eighth year, is the only pan-African awards that exclusively promote science and technology journalism.

“African journalists are invited to submit entries before 31 January 2009 for any work published in print, online or broadcast media,” she said.

She also announced that the annual awards have become a leading item on the continent’s journalism calendar.

“We are impressed by the increased number of entries from all media platforms, and the general improvement in the quality of submissions,” she said. “The African media are continually prioritizing science and technology coverage.”

Mokaeane further said the 2007 Siemens Profile Awards attracted a record 264 entries from 17 African countries.

“The entries were in four languages: English, French, Portuguese and Arabic. The heightened media interest in science and technology issues during this year is expected to boost entries,” she said.

Issues such as the surge in technology uptake and increased science research across the continent are already emerging as prominent themes in media coverage, she noted.

Equally, Mokaeane said that award categories have been changed.

“The 2009 entries may be submitted in six categories, namely, industry, energy, healthcare, information technology (with emphasis on business process and outsourcing), technology-related corporate social responsibility and the student category,” she outlined.

In addition, Mokaeane said the new categories are expected to simplify the entry submission process, resulting in increased number of entries.

Pointing out that online submissions are welcome at www.profileawards.co.za or by post or courier to Siemens country offices around African continent.

ITRealms Online recalls that the Siemens Profile Awards aim to advance quality science and technology reporting. Journalists are encouraged to identify country specific technology issues and by addressing them bring about change in social-economic conditions.

The awards encourage African science journalists to anchor their reporting in sound research, quality reporting and individual journalistic flair.

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