The inaugural VinFuture Grand Prize presented to outstanding work on the Covid-19 vaccine

A peaceful life thanks to scientists

On January 20, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and delivered a speech at the first VinFuture Prize Award Ceremony.

According to the Prime Minister, the last two years have been the most challenging owing to the epidemic, and humanity has placed its faith, hope, and expectation in science to discover Covid-19 vaccine, treatment, and preventive measures. Vaccines have been compared as humanity's steel shield in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The entire globe expresses gratitude and admiration for scientists who have accomplished their noble mission. We are here peacefully and safely today as a result of scientists and immunizations.

In Vietnam, creating science fiction is defined as the primary national strategy and a strategic breakthrough for socioeconomic development. Rapid and sustainable growth is largely dependent on science technology, creativity, and the digital revolution.

The state is promoting the establishment of mechanisms and policies to concretize the Party's line, to encourage the mobilization of innovation resources for businesses, to increase society and citizen participation in science and technology, to elevate science and technology as a true priority and driving force for the development of a strong and prosperous country, and to recognize each citizen as the subject, implementer, and beneficiary of innovation policy. Simultaneously, promoting science, technology, and innovation is an excellent policy for demonstrating Vietnam's duty to the world community, particularly in light of the current state of deep international integration.

Vietnam always extolling the beauty of mankind and the great value of science in enabling discoveries, increasing labor productivity, and elevating the material and spiritual living standards of the people. Simultaneously, Vietnam has always respected, valued, and honored true scientists who contribute to humanity's rapid and sustainable growth.

The VinFuture Prize's purpose is to recognize and support scientists who conduct ground-breaking research that contributes to the development of a sustainable living environment for future generations. The VinFuture Prize is carefully and professionally evaluated by two independent committees comprised of renowned researchers, innovators, and specialists from a variety of sectors from across the world. This is an extremely optimistic indication of a significant and prestigious prize.

The Prime Minister congratulated, commended, and recognized Vingroup Group's efforts in establishing and growing VinFuture Foundation - a non-profit operation fund dedicated to recognizing the worldwide importance of research and technology.

1,200 registrations and around 600 projects submitted for consideration

VinFuture is an independent, not-for-profit foundation founded by Mr. Pham Nhat Vuong, founder and Chairman of Vingroup JSC, a technology, industry, and services company in Vietnam, and his wife, Mrs. Pham Thu Huong, to recognize groundbreaking scientific discoveries and technological inventions that have the potential to improve millions of people's daily lives and to foster a sustainable living environment for future generations.

The VinFuture Global Annual Science and Technology Prize was founded by the Foundation on the International Day of Human Solidarity (December 20, 2020). The award system is divided into four categories, including the Grand Prize, which is worth USD 3 million and is one of the most valuable prizes in the world; three Special Prizes, each worth USD 500,000, are available to female scientists, scientists from developing countries, and scientists researching new fields.

This is a humanitarian distinction made by VinFuture in light of the scarcity of significant and valued prizes honoring and supporting scientists working in "low-lying locations" or encountering several difficulties in scientific study.

The VinFuture Prize Council is made of internationally renowned scientists and leaders from the world's largest educational, scientific, and technology-industry organizations. The VinFuture Award Council is chaired by Professor Sir Richard Henry Friend of the University of Cambridge (UK), a 2010 Physics Technology Millennium Prize laureate with over 20 patents.

VinFuture has garnered significant interest from the worldwide scientific community since its inception, with over 1,200 registrations from 654 prominent universities, 51 renowned research institutes, and 42 academies of national science with global renown.

The prize got 599 submissions, approximately 100 of which were from experts ranked in the top 2% of the world's most-cited scientists. Female scientists also made a strong showing, accounting for 34.3 percent of all candidates. Numerous of them have earned significant accolades, including the Nobel Prize, the Breakthrough Prize, the Tang Prize, and the Japan Prize.

VinFuture attracted 60 nations across six continents, with a disproportionate number of initiatives from North America and the EU accounting for 52.6 percent of total participation. Vietnam also contributes significantly, with 17 projects.

The first VinFuture Global Science and Technology Awards Ceremony presented Prof. Kariko, Prof. Weissman, and Prof. Pieter R. Cullis with the VinFuture Grand Prize of USD 3 million for their pioneering work on Covid-19 vaccines using mRNA technology.

Prof. Omar M. Yaghi was granted the special prize for scientists pioneering new subjects.

Professor Zhenan Bao received the special prize for female scientists for his study on "Development of flexible organic electronics for use in biological surface applications and sensors."

Additionally, Professors Quarraisha Abdool Karim and Salim Abdool Karim won the Special Prize for Developing Country Scientists.

VinFuture recorded the participation of 60 countries in 6 continents, of which the number of projects from North America and the EU accounted for a large proportion, 52.6%. Vietnam also has impressive participation with 17 projects.

At the first VinFuture Global Science and Technology Awards Ceremony, the VinFuture Grand Prize worth USD 3 million was awarded to Prof. Kariko, Prof. Weissman and Prof. Pieter R. Cullis for their special work on Covid-19 vaccines using mRNA technology.

The special prize for scientists researching new fields was awarded to Prof. Omar M. Yaghi.

The special prize for female scientists was awarded to Professor Zhenan Bao for his research "Development of flexible organic electronics for applications in biological surface applications and sensors".

And Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim and Prof. Salim Abdool Karim received the Special Prize for Scientists from Developing Countries.