hunk of hardware

Each achievement comes with a price. Case in point: The BSc students worked on their research projects at the GQNPC lab for a summer and two semesters. The final few weeks were the most trying, just when they were so close to the finish line; but their studies were really nice. They were so good we thought they'd be included in the Best Thesis Competition in their uni. However, the examination panel in school had another idea: the IRRI thesis students were NOT included in the competition because the topics presented were all about rice (again!).

That was a bummer! It is blatantly obvious that the panelists did not understand that both groups were offering pieces of information that have never been found before. Both teams have created new paths in the never-ending road of discovery. And yet, these achievements went largely unrecognised by the school.

Despite being disqualified from the competition, they were still invited to present their work at the scientific congress (which is the prize for winning the competition). I think this is doubly unfair. One, it is unfair for the students because their presence in the congress is just going to be a consolation prize. Two, it is also unfair to the recipients of the Best Thesis award because that group would have gone through the actual competition to reach the congress.

That goal, upon which they only had eyes for, has now become another hunk of hardware.

No matter, even though this non-recognition is a huge setback on their part, it nonetheless pales in comparison to being acknowledged as co-authors of a presentation to be shown to an international audience. And their names will be printed side by side with some famous names in the rice chemistry field.

Once again, my congratulations go out to Arvin, Clara, Virrey, Gerald, Jay, and Jenny for a job well done. It’s been an honour working with all of you.