About
Derek Gray moves to South Africa in the early 1980s and creates the association “Expo for Young Scientists” as part of his role as a researcher at the Ministry of Education and with the unconditional and precious support of his wife Rosemary, a professor at the University of Pretoria. A car accident in 1981 hit returning from an Expo meeting confined Derek to a wheelchair, but his passion for youth science was undaunted.
During the 1980s he takes courageous and generous initiatives for South Africa such as opening the Expo for Young Scientists to all communities of the country and breaking down the country’s international isolation. He attends the ESI 1989 in Brussels with a multiracial delegation where MILSET participants and organizers help him celebrate a special 50th birthday.
Elected to the MILSET Executive Committee, he immediately is asked to organize another International Science Fair on African soil. In 1995, in Kuwait City, Mr Maurice Heppé and Mr Adnan Al Meer present Derek with the banner for ESI 1997, an event that achieves extraordinary success at the prestigious University of Pretoria. Through the success of ESI 1997, he earns the support of the national electricity company ESKOM, which becomes the official sponsor for all South African regional and national science fairs.
Sadly, Derek dies in December 1998 without realizing his dream of climbing to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico during ESI 1999, after passing the MILSET ESI banner to Roberto Hidalgo at ESI 1997.
- This award is given to an individual;
- The individual never received this award;
- MILSET Regional Offices Involvement;
- MILSET Program Involvement;
- MILSET Committees, Executive Committee Involvement;
- Outstanding Contribution.
Award
- The laureate receives a medal at the ESI Head of Delegations Dinner.
- For the 2021 edition, the laureate will be recognized during the MILSET General Assembly.
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- Call for candidatures to MILSET Regional Offices and MILSET Executive Committee
- Selection by MILSET Executive Committee.
Laureates
France
Slovakia
Algeria
Mexico
Canada
Russia
Slovakia
Mexico
Bahrain
Belgium
Canada
France
Tunis
Mexico
Canada
Kuwait
Kuwait
Russia
Canada
Chile
Russia
Mexico
Saudi Arabia
Brazil
Peru
Czech Republic