Vingroup Vice Chairwoman Lê Mai Lan speaks at the opening ceremony of the VinFuture Award Week in Hà Nội on January 18. — Photo the organiser

HÀ NỘI — VinFuture Prize is going far beyond expectation by honouring outstanding research that makes a positive change to the lives of millions of people, not only in Việt Nam but also all over the world, according to an exchange event with members of the VinFuture Prize Council and Pre-screening Committee as part of the VinFuture Award Week in Hà Nội on January 18-21.

The events were attended by two Nobel Laureates and many world-known scientists, drawing the attention of thousands of scientists, policymakers and entrepreneurs around the world.

At the event, they shared their passion and discussed the achievements and sacrifices made throughout their scientific journey. They also inspired a love for research and opened up possibilities for Vietnamese scientists to approach international projects around the world.

Speakers said that the VinFuture Prize would mark Việt Nam as a new destination on the global science and technology map, contributing to creating a foundation for the domestic science and technology industry to integrate with the world.

Vingroup Vice Chairwoman Lê Mai Lan said that the first VinFuture Prize had received nearly 600 nominations for the preliminary round from more than 60 countries on all six continents around the world.

Scientists in discussion at the exchange. — Photo the organiser

Chairman of the VinFuture Prize Council, Sir Richard Henry Friend, University of Cambridge, 2010 Laureate of the Millennium Prize in Physics, said that the prize was globally meaningful because it truly honoured the discoveries of scientists around the world, thus receiving a global response from the very first year.

Sharing his opinions about opportunities for young Vietnamese scientists to connect and be supported to participate in scientific research, Friend affirmed that VinFuture Prize was a global initiative that aspired to create a global network of scientists.

“We will do our best to encourage the smallest-scale collaboration among fellows around the globe. I think that from those beginnings, we will strengthen our positive partnerships in the future. In my opinion, the VinFuture award inspires young scientists," said Friend.

Member of the VinFuture Prize Council Prof. Đặng Văn Chí said he was very proud of the country and the people of Việt Nam and had just returned to the country the first time in 50 years. He expressed his surprise that in just under a year, nearly 600 applications were sent by scientists from six continents.

Prof. Chí, a leading cancer scientist, scientific director of the Ludwig Cancer Research Institute (USA), agreed to join the Prize Council was because he realised that the VinFuture Prize would honour scientific work serving humanity.

“Vietnamese people are strongly pioneering to create unique prizes not only for science but to make a difference for millions of people around the world,” said Chí.

"The prize brings hope to millions of people around the world and Việt Nam." 

Chí said that he would connect Vietnamese scientists with international scientists in the US, Europe and China in efforts to promote science and technology collaboration between Việt Nam and the world

“I think one of the things that have been created is a future foundation. There is also a foundation that's going to create scholarships and I'm hoping to help to bring experts not only within Việt Nam but from other countries through collaboration to help create a new generation of Vietnamese scientists,” said Chí.

“So I think there are a lot of opportunities for Vietnamese scientists. I think that the Vietnamese people have the will and power to do that. So it will work over the next number of years. I want to make sure the next generation does well."

Speakers discuss the Future of Energy at the "Science for life" symposium on January 19 as part of the VinFuture Award Week in Hà Nội on January 18. — Photo organiser

The VinFuture Sci-Tech Week includes four main activities: The Conversation with the Prize Council and Pre-screening Committee; the "Science for life" Symposium; the inaugural VinFuture Award Ceremony; and the Scientific Dialogue with the inaugural VinFuture Prize Laureates.

Held on January 19, the "Science for life" symposium included three sessions, addressing three critical themes: the Future of Energy, the Future of Artificial Intelligence, and the Future of Global Health.

Each session focused on future trends as well as projections of key changes in people's lives with the increasing intervention of science and technology.

At the symposium, speakers focused discussion on topics that are pressing issues at the centre of the scientific community's attention, accounting for most nominations in this year's VinFuture Awards.

The symposium is a chance to promote scientific and technical support to create breakthroughs, contributing to improving people's lives and realising sustainable development for our planet and future generations.

The winners of the VinFuture Prize will be announced at a ceremony at the Hanoi Opera House in Hà Nội on January 20. The award ceremony will be streamed live on VTV and international platforms for science and technology.  — VNS