Now in their eighth year, the Siemens Profile Awards are the only pan-African awards that exclusively promote science and technology journalism. African journalists are invited to submit entries until 31 January 2009.
Announcing the call for entries, Manager Media Relations at Siemens Southern Africa, Ms Sithembile Mokaeane, said 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 as well as the general improvement in the quality of submissions,” she said. “The African media are continually prioritising science and technology coverage.”
Mokaeane 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. Issues such as the surge in technology uptake and increased science research across the continent are already emerging as prominent themes in media coverage.
Mokaeane announced 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.
“The new categories are expected to simplify the entry submission process, resulting in increased number of entries,” she said.
She said online submissions are welcome at www.profileawards.co.za, by post or by courier to Siemens country offices around Africa.
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 socio-economic conditions. The awards encourage African science journalists to anchor their reporting in sound research as well as demonstrate quality and individual journalistic flair.
Enquiries:
Sithembile Mokaeane
Siemens Corporate Communications
(011) 652-2000
Debra de Wet
Redline - a division of DraftFCB (SA)
(011) 676-2000
