Foundation Imagine Life Sciences

Frank Sekeris

Following the success of the “Imagine” science communication project for secondary schools which Osseweijer initiated in 2003 to enhance a positive contribution of biotech to poor and underdeveloped regions, the Imagine Life Sciences Foundation was established in 2005. The foundation runs an annual school competition inviting secondary school groups to make a business plan for a technological solution for a societal problem in developing countries, based on an idea from scientists. In addition to experimental tests at the university the school pupils attend workshops on development aid. When possible the foundation implements the winning project and the winners visit the country in which their project is carried out. The project itself was subject to research projects in BTS  identifying the critical success factors of the education and communication goals. Osseweijer received the Netherlands Biotechnology Society education and communication award for the “Imagine” project in 2006 and was also nominated for the 2006 EU Descartes Prize for Science Communication.