Dr Firdausi Qadri, senior scientist at icddr,b and a globally recognized expert in infectious disease prevention, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 VinFuture Special Prize for innovators in developing countries.
This honour acknowledges her pioneering contributions to the development and dissemination of affordable vaccines for cholera, typhoid, and HPV, says a press release issued by icddr,b on Saturday.
According to icddr,b, the award ceremony was held on Friday evening at the Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi, Vietnam, in the presence of Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
The event was also attended by Pham Nhat Vuong, chairman of Vingroup and founder of the VinFuture Foundation, along with Madam Pham Thu Huong, vice chairperson of Vingroup’s board of directors and co-founder of the VinFuture Foundation.
Established to honor innovations that transform lives and build a sustainable future, the VinFuture Prize received nominations from nearly 1,500 individuals across over 80 countries and regions this year. Dr Qadri’s 2024 award aligns with the theme "Resilient Rebound," which recognizes resilience and progress through scientific excellence.
After receiving the award, Dr Qadri expressed her gratitude, highlighting her career spanning over four decades in public health. She said: "I am deeply honored to receive the VinFuture Prize for innovations in developing countries. For more than four decades, my work has focused on combating infectious diseases, particularly cholera, typhoid, and HPV, ensuring affordable vaccines reach the communities most in need. With the support of such recognition, I have been able to expand my efforts to address other critical health challenges in Bangladesh. This award is not just a personal achievement but also a testament to my team at icddr,b, my institution, and the power of science to enhance quality of life and build a more equitable world."
The Grand Prize was jointly awarded to Professor Yoshua Bengio, Professor Geoffrey Everest Hinton, Jensen Huang, and Yann LeCun for their groundbreaking contributions to deep learning. Their revolutionary work has transformed artificial intelligence (AI), enabling significant advancements in fields such as healthcare, autonomous systems, and environmental science, highlighting AI's immense potential to improve lives globally.
The VinFuture Prize, one of the most prestigious science and technology awards globally, includes a Grand Prize of $3 million and three Special Prizes of $500,000 each. These special prizes recognize innovators in developing countries, female innovators, and innovators in emerging fields. The foundation aims to advance science and technology for equitable and sustainable development.
The award ceremony also featured a special performance by Grammy Award-winning band Imagine Dragons, further elevating the celebratory atmosphere of this landmark event.
