Rwandan among the 22 finalists for the Rolex 2014 Enterprise Awards
31/03/2014
Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
A Rwandan, Dr. Olivier Nsengimana has been named by Rolex as one of the 22 finalists for the 2014 Enterprise Awards. He has been selected due to his contribution to Rwanda’s conservation efforts to save the Grey crowned crane which faces increasing threats to its habitat and growing illegal trade.
“Chosen from more than 1,800 applicants from around the world in a competitive pre-selection process, these pioneers have demonstrated their determination to solve some of society’s greatest challenges in five general areas: science and health, applied technology, exploration, the environment and cultural heritage,” said a statement released by Rolex Awards for Enterprise.
The diverse group of finalists is from 13 countries from all over the world. Five of the 22 pioneers are expected to become young Laureates of the Rolex Awards, winning not only a vital funding for their projects, but also an international profile that will set them apart as potential leaders in conservation of world biodiversity.
The statement further indicated that “five winners will each receive 50,000 Swiss francs to further their work, a Rolex chronometer and the benefits of an ongoing, international publicity campaign. They will also have access to the network of more than 100 previous Laureates of the Rolex Awards.”
Rwandan finalist Dr. Olivier Nsengimana said; “This is indeed great news and I consider it a big achievement. The Rolex awards are about innovation and we as a country are constantly looking for sustainable solutions to our problems. The Grey Crowned Cranes are under threat of extinction in the wild, conserving them would be my contribution to the conservation efforts.”
According the Rolex Awards statement, this is the second series in the programme’s nearly four-decade history dedicated exclusively to visionaries under the age of 30, and the first edition of the Young Laureate series with an open application system.
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