Due to popular and overwhelming interest from potential contributors, MPOC is happy to provide a one-time extension of deadline to submit articles. The new closing date is 30 May 2015.

Guidance to Authors

1. Winning essays are expected to show originality and flair, linked to sound academic standards and competent use of the English language. This includes good grammar, spelling, punctuation and presentation standards.
2. Only entries responding to the topic will be considered.
3. Illustrations are welcomed but they must enhance the written text and add to the overall quality of the essay. 

Terms and conditions

1. This is an internet-based writing competition which will run for 3 months beginning from 12th February 2015. 
2. This is a global competition hence it is open to all citizen of the world who are above 18 years old
3. All submissions must be in English and lodged electronically with the organizers.
4. The essays must an original work and not published. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
5. All quotes, facts and claims should be supported by a footnote.
6. Essays must be between 3,000 to 5,000 words and meant for layman’s reading.
7. Submission deadline: 30 May 2015, 1.00 pm, Malaysia time GMT +8. Essays received after the deadline may be automatically deemed ineligible, at the discretion of the organizer.
8. You are allowed to submit more than one essay per title and all submission will be subjected to the same terms and conditions.
9. Pre-registration is required prior to essay submission
10. Essays are to be submitted by email to essay2015@mpoc.org.my. Please indicate your selected topic in subject line of email submission.
11. By submitting the entry, the participants covenants to the organizers that: a. The participant is the author of the submitted work; b. The submitted work is original and unpublished; c. He/She has read and agreed to be bound by the terms and conditions of this competition.
12. Judge’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entertained.
13. The winner will be announced on a date to be determined by the organizers and which will be announced on this website.
14. Winners are bound by the “Terms and Conditions” that come with the prizes. The   acceptance of the prize indicates the acknowledgment and agreement of such “Terms and Conditions.”
15. All submissions will be the sole property of MPOC. The organiser reserve the right to reproduced any or all of any essay submitted for the competition with appropriate acknowledgement given to the owner of the essay.
16. For non-winners, should any part of your essay be used by the organizer, you will be acknowledged and paid a token sum of USD 300.
17. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the organiser does not accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, injury or disappointment suffered by any participant entering the competition or as a result of non-allocation or acceptance of any prize. MPOC is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software failure of any email or entry to be received on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet, telephone lines or at any web site, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to the participant’s or any other person’s computer or mobile telephone related to or resulting from participation or downloading any materials in relation to the competition.
18. By participating in the competition, you agree that no claim shall be asserted against MPOC, its partners or affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents in respect of any and all losses or injuries (including without limitation special, indirect or consequential losses), damages, rights, claims or actions of any kind whatsoever that result from your participation to the competition and/or non-allocation of any prize and/or your acceptance or use of any prize.
19. The Organizer reserves the right to change these “Terms and Conditions” at any time without notice to the participant. The participant is therefore responsible for regularly reviewing these “Terms and Conditions.”
20. The organiser’s decision is final. No correspondence or any other form of communication regarding the competition will be entertained.

Prizes/Awards

Priczs are awarded in 2 different categories

Category 1
Topic  : Oil palm is not the driver of deforestation.

1st Prize : USD 7000.00
2nd Prize : USD 5000.00
3rd Prize : USD 3000.00

 

Category 2
Topic  : Fats including palm oil consumption are no longer associated with coronary heart disease.

1st Prize : USD 7000.00
2nd Prize : USD 5000.00
3rd Prize : USD 3000.00

Pre-registration is required prior to essay submission .

Authors Guideline :
What you will need to complete the submission of your essay
1. Title of your essay
2. The abstract of your submission
3. Author’s name
4. Author’s designation and organization
5. Author’s email contact
6. Address
7. Date of birth
8. Nationality
9. Passport no.
10. Abstract
11. Key word (max 10)
12. Footnote/reference

Guidelines for your essay formatting:
Heading : Arial, Bold, font size -11, font colour – Black
Sub-heading : Arial, Bold, font size -11, font colour – Black
Keyword (font type and size)
    a. Label : Arial, font size 11 Bold
    b. Content : Arial font size 12
Paragraph text : Arial, font size 11, font colour- Black, paragraphs are justified, a line of spacing after each paragraph.
Author’s email, date of publication, copyright clause etc : Arial 9, font colour-Black
Image caption : Cambria, Bold, Underline, font size-10, font colour-Black
Table caption : Cambria, Bold, underline, font size-10, font colour-Black
Total word count : 3000 to 5000 words
Format : Prepare your essay in Microsoft word, saving the file in the .doc or .docx format.

Pre-registration is required prior to essay submission .