The semi-final stage of the second edition of Pinefon Innovation Challenge for female students in tertiary Institutions in Delta State has ended with three students of the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun shortlisted for the grand finale.
The three finalists during the semi final and proposal defence were each given one hundred thousand naira as Project Start-up Fund, assigned mentors in their field of research, and will serve their internship with Dukoria International Limited.
Our Correspondent Reports that Pinefon Innovative Challenge, “She can 2.0” has the theme; Nurturing tomorrow’s generation of stem leaders .
The need to empower women in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM has become increasingly important.
This is why Pinefon Empowerment Initiative launched Pinefon Innovation Challenge aimed at empowering the next generation of female Undergraduate STEM leaders by providing them with the support they need to turn their ideas into reality.
The challenge, which had entries from 11 tertiary Institutions in Delta State, saw nine contestants slugging it out at the semi final stage.
After the keenly contested competition the Chief Judge of the panel, Professor Kenneth Ibe, who was in the panel with Dr. Godwin Birma and Eng. Deji Oluwadero, announced the names of the three finalists.
The first position went to Miss Rachel Adebowale Adenike, Miss Owe Abigail Okeoghene took the second position while Miss Tobore Akpevwe took the third position.
Three of them got hundred thousand naira each as Project Start-up Fund, assigned mentors in their field of research, and will serve their internship Dukoria International Limited .
Speaking during the second edition of the semi finals and proposal defence the founder of the Pinefon Empowerment Initiative, Mrs. Mfon Otite-Douglas, while congratulating the finalists enjoined them to be serious with their academics, stressing that the winner of the competition will be gifted the sum of three hundred thousand naira .
She revealed that Pinefon Innovation Challenge provides a platform for young Female Undergraduates to showcase their projects, build their confidence, enhance their public speaking and demonstrate their abilities to potential employers and mentors.
The winner of the maiden edition Miss Blessing Idolor, a National Diploma final year student from the Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Petroleum Training Institute Effurun (at the time), narrated her experience and encouraged female students to take their studies seriously.
“I was exposed to several oil and gas companies ,i was exposed to so many opportunities,she asked the finalists to be focus and work hard ahead of the finals ,I want to thanked the organizer of the programme for giving the girl child support and encouragement to become better persons in the society ” she added .
