Organised by Eutelsat and MultiChoice Africa, the 2012 DStv Eutelsat Star Awards has proved a resounding success, drawing on the popularity of last year’s first edition for high-school students from across Africa. The winners of the 2012 DStv Eutelsat Star Awards were announced on 22 November in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with a spotlight on East Africa as Anthony Oyom Peter from Uganda was chosen as the winner for essay and Eva Chemwgorem from Kenya for poster.  Anthony came out top in the Best Essay Award category with his entry “A Watchful Eye From Above The Heavens”. This is the second year that a Ugandan student takes first place in the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards. The Best Poster Award went to Eva Chemwgorem from Kenya for her work titled “Africa United Through Satellites”. Antony’s prize is a trip with one of his parents to watch a live rocket launch and a visit to Eutelsat in France. Eva will also visit Eutelsat’s Paris headquarters to get a closer insight on satellite technology. Awards for the runners up for Best Essay and Best Poster Awards went to Charles Finch from Swaziland and Tony Tumnsiime from Uganda who will both visit MultiChoice’s broadcast facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa. Of over 1100 entries from across the continent, the final judging panel reviewed the work of 10 finalists and commented on the high standard of work. The panel members, comprised Judging Chairman Mr Patrick Baudry, an experienced astronaut and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador; Ms Queen Mbori, Sub editor at the Citizen newspaper; Catherine Bukoza, Principal Education Officer from the Education Ministry, Tanzania; Ms Jane Mbugua, Senior assistant Director, Ministry of Education, Kenya and Ms Frederique Gautier representing Eutelsat. Nico Meyer, CEO of MultiChoice Africa added that considering the scope of Africa’s challenges today, it is impossible for one organisation to effect change without on-the-ground support. “Partnerships are crucial in spreading the burden of development, and identifying and sharing the responsibilities. Partnerships are also central to our core business at MultiChoice. We depend on strong ties with governments, service providers, subscribers and shareholders for continued growth and success. Our application of our Corporate Social Investments is no different – we prioritise building and mobilising partnerships with country governments and our business partners to jointly leverage our assets and expertise to nurture talent, harness skills and expand opportunity through technology access.” Adding to this Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat Communications said: “With more than 1,100 essays and posters from 17 African countries, the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards is a resounding success. The quality of the work submitted underscores the students’ intense interest in space and satellite technologies as well as their awareness of the challenge of transforming the trend towards digital into economic and social progress of benefit to all. The overwhelming response to the Awards encourages us to increase our commitment with MultiChoice Africa and to combine our mutual expertise in order to support science and technology education in Africa.”]]>