WorldFish has been named a 2005 Tech Museum Awards Laureate for its development of an improved strain of farmed tilapia, popularly known as GIFT (Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia). WorldFish will receive the Tech Museum award in the Accenture Economic Development category.
The GIFT technology is the first attempt to apply sound animal breeding and genetics principles to the improvement of tropical food fish, in particular the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). It has culminated in a hardy, disease resistant species with improved growth rates and productivity even in aquaculture systems with poor water quality.
“We are delighted to have been chosen as a Laureate for this prestigious award in recognition of more than ten years of research carried out by WorldFish and its partners in the Philippines, Malaysia and Norway”, stated Dr. Stephen J. Hall, Director General of WorldFish. “The GIFT tilapia strain is especially suited to the needs of resource poor farmers and consumers, and is aimed at reducing poverty and hunger in developing countries”, he added.
An esteemed panel of judges considered more than 300 applications from 64 countries and announced 25 laureates for the prestigious award program. Their work impacts people in 43 countries around the globe.
The Tech museum of Innovation, located in San Jose, California, honors individuals, for-profit, public and not-for-profit organizations from around the world for their pioneering work in developing technology to profoundly improve the human condition in the areas of environment, economic development, education, equality and health.
“The Tech Museum Awards were founded to shine a spotlight on the innovative work of those who dedicate their lives to using technology to help others”, said the Tech's President Meredith Taylor. “By celebrating the accomplishments of our Laureates, we can encourage others to become social entrepreneurs who leverage technology to make the world safer, healthier, and more equitable.”
About WorldFish
WorldFish, a member of the CGIAR Consortium, is an international, nonprofit research organization committed to reducing poverty and hunger through fisheries and aquaculture.
About CGIAR
CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.
About The Tech Museum Awards
The concept for The Tech Museum Awards and its five categories was inspired in part by The State of the Future report of The Millennium Project of the American Council for the United Nations University, which finds that award recognition is an effective way to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and technological applications to improve the human condition. The Tech Awards were inaugurated in 2001, and have since recognized 100 Laureates for their pioneering work to benefit society through the use and/or development of new technologies.
The Tech Museum Award Partners
The Tech Museum Awards represent a collaborative effort among educational institutions and business. Silicon Valley leaders supporting The Tech Awards include presenting sponsor Applied Materials, Inc. and Santa Clara University 's Center for Science, Technology, and Society. Category sponsors include Intel, Accenture, Microsoft, Agilent Technologies Foundation, and Knight Ridder.
About The Tech Museum of Innovation
Located in the heart of downtown San Jose, Silicon Valley, Calif., The Tech Museum of Innovation, a non-profit organization, engages people of all ages and backgrounds in exploring and experiencing the technologies affecting their lives and aims to inspire the young to become innovators in the technologies of the future. For more information, visit www.thetech.org or call (408) 294-TECH.
For more information or request for interview:
Contact: Toby Johnson, Senior Media Relations Manager
Mobile tel: +60 175 124 606
Email: t.johnson@cgiar.org
Web: worldfishcenter.org
Photography: flickr.com/photos/theworldfishcenter/