Sri Lankan students win at Intel ISEF in USA

Liyanadura Nipunika Vimanthi Silva and Liyanadura Nipun Kavishka Silva of De Mazenod College, Sri Lanka were winners of a team that won the second award in the Computer Science category . Each team member won $400 from the IEEE Computer Society for their project titled ‘NP System’ – a computer program for the blind and visually impaired at this year’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of the Society for Science and the Public.

The NP System is a software program that assists the blind and visually impaired to use computers by providing voice instructions. The program can assist with a variety of tasks such as guiding the user through the basic functions of a computer including sending an e-mail, crafting a word document, analysing images, providing verbal descriptions and responding to audio commands by the user.

This year, more than 1,500 young scientists were chosen to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. They were selected from 446 affiliate fairs in approximately 70 countries, regions and territories. More than 400 finalists received awards and prizes for their groundbreaking work. Awards included 17 “Best of Category” winners who received $5,000 each.

Intel Foundation also awarded a $1,000 grant to each winner’s school.