UNESCO unveils science prize winners

New York, 06 Nov-(ANA)-Two professors, one from India and the other from Vietnam, are among three science award winners announced by the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, NESCO.

The third winner is a Tunisian expert in water management and the organization responsible for Spain’s national park system.

Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization presented the prizes in Budapest, Hungary, at the opening of a three-day World Science Forum.

The annual Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science has been jointly awarded to Yash Pal of India and Trinh Xuan Thuan of Viet Nam, UNESCO said.

Professor Pal was recognized for his participation in many Indian television programmes that deal with popular science, including Turning Point and Science is everywhere. He also helped establish the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Pune and the Centre for Educational Communication in Ahmedabad.

Professor Trinh is a world-renowned astrophysicist who in 2004 discovered the

youngest known galaxy in the universe. He has written more than 200 academic

articles on galaxies and authored a series of books, including an illustrated

history of the Big Bang and a dialogue with the Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard.

The Great Man-Made River International Water Prize for Arid and Semi-Arid Zones, awarded every two years, has been given to Bellachheb Chahbani.

Dr. Chahbani has spent more than 25 years at the Institute of Arid Regions in

Médenine, Tunisia, and his research has helped improve water management and

optimize irrigation systems by reducing evaporation and run-off. (ANA)

FA/ANA/06 November 2009---