Also attending were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha; representatives of central and local departments, ministries and branches. In particular, the award ceremony was attended by Professor Richard Friend, Chairman of the VinFuture Prize Council; ambassadors of countries in Vietnam; representatives of international organizations; and many leading scientists from the country and the world.
Chairman of Vingroup Corporation Pham Nhat Vuong, founder of VinFuture Foundation and VinFuture Global Annual Science and Technology Prize attended the event.
President Vo Van Thuong presents the main VinFuture 2023 prize to scientists. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
At the event, Professor Richard Friend assessed that after three years of organization, the VinFuture Prize has clearly demonstrated the breadth, reach and global impact of the vision that this Prize aims for.
Professor Richard Friend is delighted to announce that two of the inaugural Laureates, Dr Katalin Kariko and Professor Drew Weissman, have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine this year. Their groundbreaking work in the early 2000s on mRNA vaccine technology has been instrumental in the rapid and efficient development of COVID-19 vaccines, which have been crucial to helping return to normal life. Although COVID-19 is no longer the focus of attention, mRNA technology continues to demonstrate its enormous potential and broad applications, for example in the development of affordable, personalized medicines.
Professor Richard Friend asserts that advances in science and technology not only bring surprises but also provide many new useful tools that people need to learn how to use effectively.
According to Professor Richard Friend, during the VinFuture Science and Technology Week 2023, scientists had in-depth discussions on key and rapidly developing areas. Semiconductor technology continues to develop rapidly and in many different directions. For silicon processors, the performance metric has shifted from clock speed to energy efficiency.
This improvement allows more calculations to be performed with the same amount of energy, which is important for smartphones, and is increasingly necessary for servers and artificial intelligence, systems that require large amounts of data processing. In addition to silicon, the world also needs scientific advances in wide-bandgap semiconductors, used in high-power electronics. This is essential for developing energy-efficient smart grids, especially as the world shifts towards renewable energy.
President Vo Van Thuong speaks. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
Speaking at the Award Ceremony, President Vo Van Thuong was delighted to welcome and meet with delegates and respected scientists from many parts of the world who came to Hanoi - the capital of Vietnam with a thousand years of civilization, a country of peace, hospitality and love of peace, to honor scientists and authors of outstanding research works that benefit and promote the progress of humanity.
The President believes that each project named at the VinFuture Awards Ceremony will be a great hope for a better life for hundreds of millions and possibly billions of people on the planet.
The President emphasized that human history has clarified the truth that “Life sets goals for science and science lights the way for life”. Science has helped people understand themselves and provided solutions to make life better. The more science develops, the more civilized and progressive society becomes.
According to President Vo Van Thuong, the world is changing rapidly, with many risks and challenges threatening humanity: climate change, war, conflict, disease, poverty, energy crisis, food security, water security, etc.
These global challenges teach people to be more modest in their dealings with Mother Nature and civilizations, but also require people to courageously overcome limitations, barriers, and prejudices to cooperate with a broad vision, seeking useful global solutions for a new, sustainable, and humane development journey. This important mission continues to rest on the shoulders of scientists who possess the power of knowledge and love for humanity, those who hold the key to unlocking solutions to the problems that are posing on the development path of each country and humanity.
President Vo Van Thuong presents the main VinFuture 2023 prize to scientists. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
The President welcomed the enthusiasm of the founders of the VinFuture Prize. With a global vision, a “global joint effort” approach, encouraging and honoring scientists with outstanding research works, breakthrough technologies, high applicability, aiming at a better life for many people, it has created a broad connection with the world scientific community. Since the first award ceremony, with the mission of “Science serving humanity” pursuing 4 core values: Equality - Global - Sustainability and Pioneering, the Prize has continuously developed in quality, quantity and diversity, demonstrating its increasing international appeal, influence and prestige.
According to the President, for true scientists - symbols of human dignity and intelligence, awards have never been the goal in work but the desire to find solutions for life with love for humanity and passion for research with the spirit of service and dedication, each scientist and his work has become a beautiful story, worthy of being sought and honored. Talented scientists with creative research results have brought to the world great hope for the glorious future of human life, bringing to the youth great and strong motivation in the journey of dedication for human happiness. The value of the Award is to encourage and promote the spirit of science, modesty and curiosity, courage to overcome challenges, overcome barriers, limits, and conventional thinking to be creative and serve humanity.
President Vo Van Thuong presents the main VinFuture 2023 prize to scientists. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
Vietnamese people always respect talented people, love intellectuals, and appreciate the efforts of entrepreneurs who love their country, have a vision for the world, and have social responsibility. The success of the VinFuture Prize is a worthy result of the serious and dedicated efforts of the founder.
The President emphasized that in the current period, Vietnam has determined a longer-term vision and higher goal, which is to strive to become a developed country with modern industry and high average income by 2030; and to become a developed country with high income by 2045. To realize the aspiration of developing a prosperous and happy country, Vietnam needs to mobilize resources, overcome challenges, including global challenges and internal problems that need to be solved. On that path, science and technology, together with education and training, are considered the top national policies, important goals and driving forces for rapid and sustainable development. Science and technology are expected to create remarkable economic and social development, increase labor productivity, transform economic structure, enhance national potential and the quality of material and spiritual life for the people.
The President believes that on the journey of development, responsibly participating in the international community, absorbing and inheriting the achievements of advanced knowledge and science, Vietnam will always have the companionship, solidarity, cooperation, sharing and support of progressive friends around the world. Useful scientific solutions are always good references for Vietnam. A strong Vietnam based on the foundation of science and technology will contribute more to the region and the world.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha presents a special award to female scientist Susan Solomon. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
The VinFuture Prize 2023 with the theme "Global Cooperation" affirms its international prestige when gathering 1,389 nominations from more than 90 countries and territories, 3 times more than the first season.
This year's Awards include four categories, including the Main Prize, worth $3 million, which is one of the most valuable awards in the world. In addition, there are three Special Prizes, each worth $500,000, for female scientists, scientists from developing countries, and scientists researching new fields.
According to VNA/Tin Tuc Newspaper
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