icddr,b's Dr Firdausi Qadri Wins 2024 VinFuture Special Prize

Dr. Firdausi Qadri, senior scientist of icddr,b with the prize in her hand. _11zon

icddr,b is proud to announce that Dr Firdausi Qadri, a Senior Scientist and globally respected expert in infectious disease prevention, has been awarded the 2024 VinFuture Special Prize for Innovators from Developing Countries. This prestigious recognition celebrates her pioneering contributions to the development and rollout of affordable vaccines for cholera, typhoid, and HPV, ensuring these life-saving solutions reach vulnerable populations, particularly children and women, in resource-limited settings.

The award ceremony took place this evening at the Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi, Vietnam, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Phạm Minh Chính. Mr Pham Nhat Vuong, Chairman of Vingroup and the Founder of the VinFuture Foundation, and Madam Pham Thu Huong, Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Vingroup and Co-Founder of the VinFuture Foundation, were also present on the occasion. The VinFuture Prize, established to honour innovations that transform lives and build a sustainable future, received nearly 1,500 nominations from over 80 countries and territories this year. Dr Qadri’s work exemplifies the theme of the 2024 awards, “Resilient Rebound,” which celebrates resilience and progress through scientific ingenuity.

Dr Qadri expressed her gratitude in an acceptance speech that highlighted her career spanning over four decades in public health. She said, “ I am deeply honoured to receive the VinFuture Prize for Innovation in Developing Countries. For over four decades, my work has focused on preventing infectious diseases, particularly cholera, typhoid, and HPV, ensuring that affordable vaccines reach the communities that need them most - especially children and women and in time. With the support of recognitions like this, I have been able to expand my efforts to tackle other critical health challenges of Bangladesh. This award is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to my team at icddr,b, my institution iDESHI, and the power of science to improve lives and create a more equitable world. I hope this inspires young women, and also men globally, especially in developing countries, to pursue careers in science."

The Grand Prize, was jointly awarded to Professor Yoshua Bengio (Université de Montréal), Nobel Laureate Professor Geoffrey Everest Hinton (University of Toronto), Mr Jen-Hsun Huang (Nvidia), and Yann LeCun for their groundbreaking contributions to the development of deep learning. Their revolutionary work has transformed artificial intelligence, enabling significant advancements across fields such as healthcare, autonomous systems, and environmental science, demonstrating the immense potential of AI to improve lives globally.

The VinFuture Prize, one of the most prestigious global science and technology awards, comprises a Grand Prize of USD 3 million and three Special Prizes of USD 500,000 each. These Special Prizes recognise Innovators from Developing Countries, Women Innovators, and Innovators in Emerging Fields. The foundation's mission is 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, adding to the celebratory atmosphere of this landmark occasion.

icddr,b celebrates this recognition of Dr Qadri’s tireless dedication to global health equity and scientific excellence, which has left a profound impact on the lives of millions and continues to inspire future generations. – Press release