Tánaiste announces Young Scientist winner to travel to Expo 2025 in Japan
- Published on: 9 January 2025
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has announced that his department is funding the winners of this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) to travel to Japan later this year to present their project at Expo 2025. The Expo is a six-month long event in Osaka where Ireland will have a significant national pavilion and where up to 30 million visitors are expected.
Along with the overall winner, one senior project from each of the four remaining categories will also travel to Japan to showcase their work at a special event organised as part of Ireland’s Expo 2025 programme.
The Tánaiste today attended the 2025 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS in Dublin, where he met with Mr. Norimasa Yoshida from Japan’s embassy in Ireland.
He also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Professor Pat Guiry, Chair of the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. The MoU will support Ireland’s Embassies and the BT YSTE in the development of further International YSTE competitions, such as those already established by Ireland’s Embassies in Kenya and Jordan. This will contribute to Ireland’s ongoing work in the area of education and encourage young people, particularly girls, to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The Tánaiste said:
"Bringing the winners of this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, along with four other outstanding entrants, to Expo in Osaka will showcase the innovation and talent of Irish young people on a global stage.
“The opportunity to attend Expo 2025 will allow the students to engage with educators and people at the cutting edge of science and technology from all over the world. This will be a huge benefit to them as they continue their own journeys and exploration into the world of science and technology.
“Japan is one of the world’s leading economies, and an important source of investment in Ireland, but also a country with which we share values and strong political, economic and cultural connections. 2025 will be an exciting year for Ireland in Japan. With the opening of the new Ireland House in Tokyo this year, as well as our participation in EXPO in the mega-city of Osaka, 2025 is the beginning of a dynamic new chapter in our bilateral partnership.”
Speaking about the Memorandum of Understanding signed today, the Tánaiste said:
"The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition plays a critical role in encouraging young people in Ireland to develop their learning in areas that are increasingly defining the modern world. Our embassies in Kenya and Jordan have spearheaded the establishment of local competitions based on the successful Irish model. I was delighted to meet the winners of the Kenyan and Jordanian competitions today as part of their visit to Ireland.
“The agreement signed today will support the Department of Foreign Affairs and the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in their work towards increasing the number of countries participating in the International YSTE. By doing so, Ireland will enable young people to engage, often for the first time, in science and technology. This will create life-changing opportunities for young people, particularly girls, who too often do not have access to these fields.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs has a significant presence at the BTYSTE. The Irish Aid stand offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the work of Irish Aid and the Sustainable Development Goals. For the first time the Passport Service will have a stand at the exhibition to allow visitors learn about the science behind the Irish passport.
2025 will be the 20th year in which DFA sponsors the Science for Development special category award. The winners will travel to the Gambia with our partner Self Help Africa later in the year as part of their prize.