Somali teen takes top Euro award
Source: The Voice, Sept 24-30, 2007
Sixteen-year-old Somalia-born
schoolboy Abdul Abubakar took first prize at the finals of the 19th European Union
Contest for Young Scientists in Valencia last week.
Sixteen-year-old Somalia-born schoolboy Abdul Abubakar
took first prize at the finals of the 19th European Union Contest for Young Scientists
in Valencia last week.
As reported in The Voice last January, Abdul, who attends
the Christian Brothers school on Synge Street Dublin was hailed Ireland’s ‘Young
Scientist Of The Year’ when he won the BT sponsored competition.
Abdul Abubakar
His entry was a system to crack what had previously been
the world’s most secure computer encryption in the world, the RSA system.
Entitled ‘An Extension of Weiner’s Attack on RSA Encryption’,
Abdul’s system used complex mathematics to challenge the security of keys associated
with encryption.
Using cutting edge mathematical research, he succeeded
in decreasing the security of the safe keys, used to decode mathematical messages.
Experts say that Abdul’s discoveries have many practical applications in the areas
of IT and internet safety.
Abdul, beat 120 other talented young scientists from
32 countries to scoop the trophy and €5,000. (£3,492 approx).
BLOWN AWAY
Interviewed at the award ceremony he said, “I am completely
blown away by the news and can’t believe it. To win at the BT Young Scientist and
Technology Exhibition in January was an amazing moment.
‘But to come here and win again is incredible. I saw
some really interesting projects from across Europe so I am so excited that mine
was chosen by the judges.”
Chief Executive Officer of BT Ireland, Chris Clark, adds
“We’re delighted to hear the result from Valencia and wish Abdul continued success
with his area of research.
‘In January, Abdul’s project struck the BT Young Scientist
and Technology Exhibition judges as being innovative and advanced while having many
practical applications in our technology driven world.
‘Abdul is a fantastic ambassador for the sciences and
for Ireland and his success will hopefully inspire other young Irish people to enter
the 2008 BT Young Scientist which closes for entries on 5th October.’
