VinFuture's 5-year journey is guided by the vision of bringing science to service

On the evening of December 5, the 5th annual VinFuture Global Science and Technology Awards Ceremony will take place at the Hoan Kiem Theater (Hanoi).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Professor Richard Henry Friend - Chairman of the VinFuture Prize Council - said: " Today is a special occasion to look back on the 5-year journey of the VinFuture Foundation - a journey guided by the vision of bringing science to serve humanity ".

As Chairman of the Prize Council from the very beginning, Mr. Richard Henry Friend expressed his pride in accompanying the Foundation in this great mission: Honoring scientific discoveries that bring practical benefits to millions, even billions of people around the world .

Professor Richard Henry Friend affirmed that the scientists honored in 2025 have made outstanding scientific discoveries , contributing to creating great benefits for society - both in terms of human welfare and sustainable development. Their work reminds us that science is not just knowledge, but also a responsibility - a responsibility to contribute to a better future for the planet and the next generations.

" Sometimes we worry that new science might open a 'Pandora's box' and that care must be taken to steer powerful technologies in a safe and just direction. But more than that, as you will see tonight, the benefits of these innovations are clear - and behind them are inspiring stories of intelligence, resilience and faith in science, " said Richard Henry Friend.

Commenting on the increasing number of nominations for the VinFuture Prize, Professor Richard Henry Friend said that this year's award received 1,705 nominations. The selection process began immediately after the nomination deadline in April with the participation of the Preliminary Council, and lasted until the end of August - when the Prize Council made the final decision.

Professor Richard Henry Friend said that the scientists who won the VinFuture 2025 Prize are a testament to the value of perseverance, the spirit of service and the belief in the power of knowledge.

" All members of the Prize Council and myself hope that you will continue to promote your excellent research, to continue to bring more benefits to the world community ," said Mr. Richard Henry Friend.

According to Professor Richard Henry Friend, in 5 seasons, VinFuture honored many outstanding scientists - who then continued to be recognized with other prestigious awards in the world.

That is Professor Omar Yaghi - who was honored with the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that open up major applications for clean energy. He is the winner of the VinFuture Special Prize for Scientists researching new fields in 2021.

Also that year, two scientists who won the VinFuture Grand Prize - Professor Katalin Kariko and Professor Drew Weissman - later received the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine.

VinFuture has also honored pioneering scientists in artificial intelligence - a field that continues to shape the future of science.

The VinFuture Special Prize for Scientists Researching Emerging Fields 2022 was awarded to John Jumper and Demis Hassabis (Google DeepMind) for their breakthrough in AI-based protein structure simulation - which led them to the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. In 2024, Professor Geoffrey Hinton was honored with the VinFuture Main Prize and also received the Nobel Prize in Physics in the same year.

" Tonight is also the highlight of the VinFuture Science and Technology Week with multidisciplinary activities and discussions - from biomedicine, food agriculture, robotics and smart automation to science for a sustainable future. Looking to the future, I believe that VinFuture is expanding beyond the framework of an award. As we have witnessed this week: VinFuture has connected the world's intellectual elite, a sense of responsibility and aspiration to serve humanity, " affirmed Professor Richard Henry Friend.

English

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