Dr. Firdausi Qadri, a senior scientist at icddr,b and a globally respected authority in infectious disease prevention, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 VinFuture Special Prize for innovators in developing countries. This recognition highlights her groundbreaking contributions to creating and promoting affordable vaccines for cholera, typhoid, and human papillomavirus (HPV), as announced in a press release from icddr,b on Saturday.
Prestigious Ceremony in Vietnam
The award ceremony took place on Friday evening at the Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi, Vietnam, attended by dignitaries including Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Prominent figures like Pham Nhat Vuong, chairman of Vingroup and founder of the VinFuture Foundation, and Madam Pham Thu Huong, vice chairperson of Vingroup’s board of directors and co-founder of the foundation, were also present.
The VinFuture Prize, established to celebrate innovations that create transformative impacts and contribute to sustainable development, received nearly 1,500 nominations from over 80 countries and regions in 2024. The theme for this year, “Resilient Rebound,” underscores the role of scientific innovation in advancing resilience and progress.
A Lifetime of Dedication
Expressing her gratitude after receiving the award, Dr. Qadri reflected on her career spanning over four decades in public health. She stated:
“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.”
Recognizing Excellence Across Fields
The Grand Prize of the 2024 VinFuture Prize was awarded jointly to Professor Yoshua Bengio, Professor Geoffrey Everest Hinton, Jensen Huang, and Yann LeCun for their transformative contributions to deep learning. Their pioneering work has revolutionized artificial intelligence (AI), enabling advancements in healthcare, autonomous systems, and environmental science, demonstrating AI’s potential to improve lives globally.
The VinFuture Prize is one of the world’s leading science and technology awards, with a Grand Prize of $3 million and three Special Prizes of $500,000 each. These special prizes honor innovators in developing countries, female scientists, and pioneers in emerging fields, aiming to promote equitable and sustainable advancements in science and technology.
Celebrating Innovation and Art
The ceremony was further enriched by a special performance from Grammy Award-winning band Imagine Dragons, adding a celebratory note to the evening and underscoring the global impact of the event.
Dr. Qadri’s recognition marks a significant milestone in her career and a proud moment for Bangladesh, reinforcing the importance of scientific innovation in addressing pressing public health challenges.
Firdausi Qadri receives award for innovators in developing countries
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, as stated in 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.