Seven-year-old Helene Margaret Bariso Elias from the Philippines won the regional tilt of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Innovation contest for aircraft design.
Helene Elias was awarded as the Asia-Pacific Regional Winner of the “Ideas” section of the contest in ceremonies held during the ICAO Innovation Fair held in Montreal, Canada on September 22, 2019.
The young Filipina designer, accompanied by her parents, received her award from ICAO Secretary General Fang Liu and ICAO Council President Olumiyiwa Benard Aliu.
The ICAO announced on social media the win by Elias in the “Ideas” contest for ages 6-12. The Innovation contest was launched early this year to find the next generation of aviation professionals as the ICAO celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia thanked Helene “for making the Philippines proud of her accomplishment at such a young age” in her letter to Helene Elias announcing her win ahead of the awarding at the first ever ICAO Innovation Fair . The ICAO Innovation Fair was held concurrently with the Fifth ICAO World Aviation Forum in the two-day lead-up to ICAO’s 40th Assembly.
Elias joins the growing list of Filipino children who have gained international recognition for their work including Grade 6 student Nasif Cali who won the UN Children’s Design Contest and 12-year-old volunteer teacher Dagul of Sorsogon.
SEND congratulations in the comments below to Helene Elias for being hailed as the next generation of aviation professionals!
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