VinFuture has earned its place on the global science map

This year marks the fifth anniversary of VinFuture. Looking back, what is your assessment of its mission and value?

Professor Konstantin Novoselov: From zero, VinFuture has risen to earn a deserved position on the global map of science and technology.

I believe the success of the Prize is tied to the success of science in serving humanity, especially through work that promotes sustainability and benefits billions of people.

I’m proud of the selections the Council has made over the years. The process continues with vibrant, constructive debates. The diversity of honorees in terms of disciplines and nationalities is a testament to VinFuture’s humanistic and inclusive approach.

This is a promising beginning to a long journey. I hope VinFuture will continue contributing in its unique way to building a more sustainable future for the world.

What words best capture the spirit of VinFuture after these five years?

If I had to distill VinFuture’s essence into a few words, it would be: excellent science, breakthrough technology, and equity.

These three elements make the Prize truly special and deeply meaningful for the future of humanity.

As long as VinFuture stays true to its core philosophy - honoring scientific excellence, breakthrough technologies, and the value of equality and respect for differences - I believe we are on the right path and will continue serving a higher purpose.

What initially convinced you to trust in the vision and mission of this prize?

There are many scientific awards in the world, but VinFuture stands out because of its unique philosophy: recognizing innovations that fundamentally transform the way we live.

That’s an extraordinary idea - an award of profound significance.

That’s why I was excited to join the Prize Council and devote years to this mission.

Frankly, it’s a fascinating challenge.

Many brilliant discoveries remain in the lab, while technologies we use daily are often based on decades-old inventions. Yet today, we are seeing groundbreaking innovations rapidly translate into real-life applications, changing millions of lives.

That makes the pursuit of identifying, exploring, and honoring the great minds behind these achievements a deeply inspiring and meaningful journey.

Writing a new chapter with knowledge and innovation

Several works recognized by VinFuture - like mRNA technology, AlphaFold, and GLP-1 - later received major international honors such as the Nobel Prize. What does that say about the Prize’s impact?

It speaks to the vision and forward-thinking nature of VinFuture’s evaluation process.

Evaluating nominations demands intense focus.

The finest submissions are filtered through multiple rounds by the Secretariat and Pre-screening Committee before being reviewed rigorously by the Prize Council.

We must constantly broaden our understanding across diverse fields.

It’s an intellectually demanding yet exhilarating journey. Each year, we learn, explore, and draw inspiration from the very works we evaluate.

How do you view VinFuture’s role in connecting the international scientific community with Vietnam’s growing innovation ecosystem?

Vietnam has long held a respected position in global science, with many Vietnamese scientists working at top research institutions worldwide.

But what we’re witnessing now is even more remarkable: a powerful wave of innovation emerging within Vietnam itself, where science has become not just knowledge but a national development aspiration.

The birth of VinFuture symbolizes that ambition.

From an idea conceived in Vietnam, VinFuture has created a five-year journey that unites the world’s brightest minds, inspires science for humanity, and positions Vietnam as a new beacon on the global scientific landscape.

I believe VinFuture not only elevates the prestige of Vietnamese science and technology but also showcases the vision, strength, and determination of a nation boldly writing a new chapter of development through knowledge and creativity.

Thank you, Professor!

Van Trang