VinFuture brings together people with a shared vision of building a better world.

Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim emphasized that VinFuture is a unique award, focusing on the social impact of science and technology. She also appreciated VinFuture's role in connecting the global scientific community by gathering people with the same aspiration to build a better world.

Pioneering and distinctive awards, increasingly prestigious international reputation

- Having been with VinFuture since the first season, how do you evaluate VinFuture's changes in season 3?

The most noticeable thing is that both VinFuture's international influence and reputation have increased significantly.

First of all, the change is reflected in the number of nominations we received, more than 1,300, nearly 3 times more than the first season. This impressive number is a positive signal showing the growing interest of the world's scientific community in VinFuture.

Another example is that during my time as President of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), I worked at the United Nations and traveled to many underdeveloped countries. I met many scientists and they all expressed interest in VinFuture.

Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim (left) - Winner of the 2021 VinFuture Prize for Scientists from Developing Countries, Member of the VinFuture Prize Preliminary Jury, President of the World Academy of Sciences. (Photo: VFP)

Besides the quantity, the quality of the applications has also increased, which is also very remarkable. There are many promising applications, offering great solutions to make the world a better place. This makes the Council members really have a headache because they regret every single one.

Personally, I consider myself very lucky not to have to make the final decision. That difficult task is for the Awards Committee!

- According to you, what are the key factors that create the attraction and reputation of VinFuture?

It is pioneering and different. The science and technology award from Vietnam is unlike any other international award, both in mission, criteria and vision.

With the mission of “Science serving humanity”, VinFuture is promoting the scientific community to seek breakthrough solutions that benefit millions of people.

As an epidemiologist, I believe that when scientists are trying to solve a problem, it must be of great importance to the community where they live, if not to mention the global scale. This criterion of VinFuture is also very similar to the criterion of knowledge creation that I and many researchers are applying.

Professor Karim (center) with members of the Preliminary Jury and VinFuture Prize Council at the VinFuture Prize Ceremony in December 2022. (Photo: VFP)

VinFuture also attracts attention by promoting interdisciplinary cooperation. The challenges facing humanity are increasingly large and even beyond common perception, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, interdisciplinary cooperation is the key to solving both old and new problems. The mRNA vaccine against COVID-19, a breakthrough achievement that saves humanity, was born from that new approach.

- The work that won the first VinFuture Main Prize has just been honored with the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine. What can we see from this, Professor?

It is wonderful to see the Nobel Prize awarded to the first winners of the VinFuture Prize. It is an affirmation that VinFuture is selecting and honoring outstanding scientists and works. And VinFuture's choice is absolutely correct. In particular, this also demonstrates VinFuture's pioneering and visionary nature.

VinFuture opens up new connection opportunities

- How do you evaluate VinFuture's role in connecting the international scientific community?

VinFuture serves as a reminder to draw more international attention to science, technology and innovation for the benefit of society. At TWAS, we are also looking at how to connect the global research community and create a platform to build the next generation of scientific leaders. VinFuture, with its far-reaching international reach, can play an important role in that process.

Professor Karim works in the laboratory at the CAPRISA center.

In addition, VinFuture also opens doors to science and creates new opportunities for us to connect. For example, at award ceremonies, we are always exposed to many outstanding minds in the world.

Opportunities also come to scientists who are not present in Vietnam. The award ceremony’s discussions or the conferences that VinFuture organizes throughout the year, with topics revolving around global challenges, are truly helping to connect the international scientific community, gathering people who share the same vision and aspiration to build a better world.

- As for Vietnamese science, according to you, what benefits do domestic researchers get from this global award?

One thing is certain: VinFuture is helping Vietnam become more widely known to the world, not only for its responsibility towards global issues but also for its scientific capacity.

I have also witnessed the indirect benefits when Vietnamese scientists meet and have a common voice with scientists from around the world. This will be the foundation for long-term relationships as well as expanding cooperation in research.

As a scientist, I understand that proactively seeking relationships with the outside world is not easy. But thanks to the prestige and bridging role of VinFuture, barriers will be removed and opportunities will be expanded.

Professor Karim speaks to some women in the rural town of Vulindlela in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

- Returning to this year's season, can you reveal the winning works and what are your expectations for the next seasons?

I believe that this year's award-winning works are all very convincing because their contributions to humanity are undeniable, both in the present and in the future. The applications of these studies are and will be increasingly present in our lives.

I hope that in the coming seasons, there will be more nominations from developing countries in South America, Africa and Asia... because this is where most of the urgent global problems are facing. I would not be surprised if there are winning works from there because the reality of many challenges is the cradle for the birth of groundbreaking research.

Thank you, Professor!

Bao Anh

Source: https://vtc.vn/gs-karim-vinfuture-tap-hop-nguoi-co-chung-tam-nhin-xay-dung-the-gioi-tot-dep-ar833652.html