Green Visionaries from 20 Countries on Tour in Germany

Leading young scientists from around the world meet the elite of Germany's sustainability researchers.

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has identified 25 young researchers through the "Green Talents - International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development", to tour Germany. Femeena Pandara Valappil (24), MTech in Water Resources Engineering from India is among the finalists.

The jury was impressed by Femeena's resourcefulness in solving a complex agriculture problem through truly scientific and interdisciplinary means. The competition, under the patronage of Minister Professor Johanna Wanka, annually awards the 25 most outstanding minds worldwide. Hailing from various research disciplines, the winners are honoured for their original solutions for a more sustainable future.

For the sixth time, the Green Talents Award will be presented by German research minister Prof. Johanna Wanka. Out of more than 800 applications from over 100 countries, a high ranking jury of experts selected 25 up-and-coming scientists. Their prize is one of the treasured tickets to the "Green Talents - International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development".

Two weeks of interaction with some of the most renowned research institutions and leading experts now lie ahead of the newly minted "Green Talents". Getting connected to the science community and exchanging ideas with its key innovators allows the winners to promote their approaches and to lay the foundation for future cooperation. Such efforts are supported by the invitation to return to Germany for a fully funded research stay at an institution of their choice in 2015.

Prof. Johanna Wanka, as the patron of the Green Talents Initiative, will personally honour the winners on 7 November in Berlin. The festive awards ceremony will be one of the first events held in the new ministry building.