GS Gurdev Singh Khush, co-recipient of the 2023 VinFuture Special Prize for Developing Country Female Scientists. Photo: MH
With only a few days left until the VinFuture Week of Science and Technology and the 2024 Award Ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam, past recipients of the VinFuture Prize predict that groundbreaking research in the following fields could be potential candidates for the prestigious 2024 VinFuture Prize.
Which Fields Will Be “Honored” at VinFuture 2024?
GS Gurdev Singh Khush
GS Gurdev Singh Khush predicts the field to be honored at VinFuture 2024. Photo: VFP
According to GS Gurdev Singh Khush, one important field of study that may gain attention this year is climate change and environmental degradation, especially issues that have a profound impact on food security and water resources.
GS Gurdev Singh Khush assesses that, “Research aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change, developing sustainable agriculture, and ensuring access to clean water for all will undoubtedly be of high value.”
With six decades of experience in researching and developing disease-resistant and pest-resistant rice varieties, GS Gurdev Singh Khush understands the negative effects of increasingly severe climate change on sustainable agricultural development.
GS Martin Andrew Green, Winner of the 2023 VinFuture Prize
GS Martin Andrew Green believes that climate change and energy security are two potential fields to be honored at VinFuture 2024. Photo: VFP
GS Martin Andrew Green, winner of the 2023 VinFuture Prize, strongly supports the perspective of GS Gurdev Singh Khush. According to him, the solar energy industry is booming, and it is one of the best opportunities to combat climate change.
From the viewpoint of someone who has dedicated decades to researching and improving the efficiency of silicon solar cells, GS Martin Andrew Green believes that this technology still has a lot of room for development: “Solar energy is currently providing electricity at very low costs in many countries and is considered the third energy revolution – after the agricultural and industrial revolutions.”
Additionally, energy security is also considered another crucial field. With the world’s growing population and increasing energy demands, finding sustainable and reliable energy solutions has become more urgent than ever. According to this expert, innovations in renewable energy technologies, energy storage, and efficient energy consumption will play a significant role in addressing this challenge.
Solar energy technology and sustainable materials are making significant strides. According to GS Martin Andrew Green, cost is the biggest driver, as it helps technologies gain a foothold in the commercial market. A technology that is cost-competitive will grow rapidly, as seen with solar energy. As the scale of deployment increases, the use of environmentally friendly, recyclable, and sustainable materials becomes more important.
GS Jens Juul Holst, Winner of the 2023 VinFuture Special Prize
GS Jens Juul Holst, Winner of the 2023 VinFuture Special Prize for Scientists Conducting Research in New and Emerging Fields. Photo: VFP
Finally, global health is also one of the top-priority fields. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of preparedness and rapid response to infectious diseases. In this field, GS Jens Juul Holst, winner of the 2023 VinFuture Special Prize for Scientists Conducting Research in New and Emerging Fields, believes that microRNA research holds tremendous potential in addressing global health challenges.
According to him, microRNA is opening up new avenues in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and many other conditions. The development of microRNA-based therapeutic approaches promises to revolutionize medicine, bringing hope to millions of patients worldwide.
Impressed by VinFuture’s Global Vision
As a member of the VinFuture Prize Council this year, GS Martin Andrew Green revealed that the number of nominations for the prize was impressive. He also shared that the nominations this year were divided into main groups, such as materials science, agriculture, climate, healthcare and medicine, environment, mathematics, artificial intelligence, communication, computer science, and more. Furthermore, he was impressed by the professional, systematic, and rigorous manner in which VinFuture organized the evaluation and screening process for the nominations.
Meanwhile, GS Jens Juul Holst emphasized that the support and recognition from the VinFuture Prize greatly benefit scientists.
“The most important thing is that this recognition showcases the global significance of scientific discoveries. The true happiness lies in seeing more people benefit from scientific findings and lead better lives,” said Jens Juul Holst.
Sharing the same view as the other two scientists, GS Gurdev Singh Khush also highly appreciated that VinFuture is the first major international prize awarded by a developing country.
“Most other prestigious awards originate from developed countries. Recognition from a developing country carries special meaning,”
shared GS Gurdev Singh Khush.
The 90-year-old scientist believes that the VinFuture Prize will play a crucial role in raising global awareness about pressing issues and contributing to building a better future for generations to come.
The VinFuture Week of Science and Technology and the 2024 Award Ceremony will take place from December 4-7, 2024, in Hanoi, Vietnam. This international-scale event, gathering illustrious figures in crucial fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), materials science, health science, environment, and sustainable development, promises to bring new insights and perspectives on the future of the world.
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