The 'Imagine' version for the VinFuture Prize

VinFuture Global Science and Technology Awards Ceremony

I understand that the praise also carries a hint of skepticism and a touch of irony, given the immense value of the award Vingroup has given, surpassing even the Nobel Prize, considered the most prestigious globally. However, watching the live broadcast of the award ceremony, witnessing the respectful presence of hundreds of leading scientists from around the world in the auditorium of the Hanoi Grand Theatre amidst the pandemic, reading the list of the judging panel comprised of renowned scientific figures, and seeing the overwhelming emotion of the award-winning scientists, I am convinced that the VinFuture Prize has truly established its global prestige and value, originating from Vietnam, for science and its goal of serving humanity.

The four Vinfuture awards presented in the first edition were, without a doubt, all great achievements in scientific research. But personally, I was particularly moved and admired the award given to Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim and Professor Salim Abdool Karim from South Africa, for their research on producing a gel containing the drug tenofovir – a product for women that has antiviral effects against HIV.

For some reason, when the image of austere scientists appeared on stage, I was convinced they were from India or Bangladesh. Perhaps this isn't entirely unrealistic, especially when mentioning them, people emphasize the difficulties, the lack of resources for research, and the extraordinary efforts of scientists from developing countries and for the developing world – and indeed for all of humanity. It truly is a great encouragement for the world's scientific research mission under any conditions or circumstances. Awarding them the first Vinfuture Prize, besides honoring their immense scientific value, also elevates a profound humanistic meaning, truly of universal significance.

It is as sweet and humane as the wonderful melody of the song. Imagine The song was performed by 44-year-old John Legend, who accompanied himself on the piano. He is a renowned singer who has won 10 Grammy Awards, 1 Golden Globe Award, 1 Oscar, and in 2007, received the special Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Perhaps this is the first time in Vietnam that audiences have heard a great singer perform a great song with such passion. And Mr. Pham Nhat Vuong and Mrs. Pham Thu Huong, the founders of the award, have made this possible, first and foremost for the Vietnamese people and Vietnamese audiences.

With its spectacular appearance and prestigious awards honoring renowned scientific achievements, the Vinfuture Prize has, to some extent, helped alleviate Vietnam's scientific inferiority complex and made a practical contribution to encouraging scientific development worldwide. This is far more significant and meaningful than the enormous sums of money spent on the award and the overly extravagant awards ceremony. It is even more significant when we consider that Vietnam's scientific contribution index to the planet and humanity is very low, ranking 124th out of 125 countries in 2014. In 2020, the world had 275.900 patent applications, while Vietnam had only 24, and China had 68.720!

Vietnam is not lacking in renowned scientists. However, Vietnam remains a low-lying area for scientific invention and application in the world. The country's science sector is still underdeveloped, lacking groundbreaking and practical inventions. Consequently, Vietnam remains more of a factory, a place where laborers sell their physical strength rather than a land for applying modern technology to compete and develop intellectual value at an accelerated pace. Escaping this low-lying area requires many things and many aspects, including significant impetus and turning points that create momentum. The VinFuture Prize can be considered such an impetus, a driving force that inspires creativity and research.

In physics, there are forces of attraction and centrifugal force, and life itself is governed by two opposing yet unified values: convergence and diffusion. With the goal of developing science and a mission of service, the VinFuture Prize has truly applied these two physical forces to create two values ​​that contribute to Vietnam's ability to attract the world's scientific expertise and, from there, spread passion and creative inspiration to all corners of the globe. This is a value cherished by generations, but not everyone has the vision or capability to realize it. Let's believe in this and offer our support and hope.

In terms of its contribution, the Vinfuture Prize remains unique in Vietnam to date, and only Mr. Pham Nhat Vuong and Mrs. Pham Thu Huong, along with Vingroup, have achieved it. Of course, its prestige and reputation depend on its longevity. To nurture and develop it, the founders and their team will have to make significant and sustained efforts. Nevertheless, the initial steps have been very successful. A flame of humanistic values, encouraging and contributing to scientific development and the mission of serving humanity, has been ignited.

Hopefully, it will continue to burn brightly and not be dimmed, not subjected to further cold and lingering doubts...