Shrewsbury High School Freshman Chosen For 2025 World Youth Institute Conference

SHREWSBURY, NJ — A high school freshman from Shrewsbury Township has been selected by Rutgers University as an NJ delegate to the 2025 World Food Prize Global Youth Institute Conference, which will take place in October in Des Moines, Iowa.

Zain Akhtar was chosen alongside Laila Caramanica (a junior from Ocean Township) as state delegates for the conference. Both Akhtar and Caramanica are students at the Marine Academy of Science & Technology (MAST).

Prior to being chosen, the competition required students to research a specific issue related to world hunger, develop a comprehensive paper addressing the problem and propose viable solutions.

Delegates then presented and defended their work before a panel of expert judges, demonstrating their understanding and commitment to tackling global food challenges.

For Akhtar’s paper, he explored Pakistan’s water crisis and its wide-ranging impact.

“Water is becoming dangerously scarce, affecting agriculture, health, and education,” he said. “Solutions like rainwater harvesting and NASA’s satellite tools could help, but it will take collaboration.”

In Caramanica’s paper, she focused her research on how poverty and unemployment fuel food insecurity in South Africa.

“I wanted to spotlight how expanding education can strengthen both the economy and underserved communities,” she said. “Hopefully, we can address these issues and forge a better future together.”

The students presented their papers to a panel of judges, where they defended their research and proposed solutions — a process that determined their selection as delegates.

“As the Marine and Environmental Science Club advisor, I’m incredibly proud of Laila and Zain,” said MAST science teacher Clare Ng. “Their work shows a deep understanding of global challenges and a commitment to meaningful solutions. Their recognition as Borlaug Scholars reflects both their hard work and the strength of the MAST community.”

The education at MAST focuses on rigorous STEM classes and classes in marine sciences and global awareness. It is considered one of the Monmouth County Vocational School District's "career academies," which aim to prepare students for the workforce immediately after graduation.

Other Monmouth County Career Academies include the Academy of Allied Health and Science, Academy of Law and Public Safety, Biotechnology High School, Communications High School and High Technology High School.

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