The Mustafa Prize is a top science and technology award granted to the top researchers and scientists of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states biennially. In its first round, the prestigious prize was granted to the Laureates, Professor Jackie Y. Ying from Singapore and Professor Omar Yaghi from Jordan.
Prof. Naveed Amjid Sattar is the Professor of Metabolic Medicine and Honorary Consultant, Glasgow Royal Infirmary of Britain and one of the guests of the Mustafa (PBUH) Prize Award Ceremony 2015. In an interview with Mustafa Prize Secretariat, he shared his views about the status of Islam in the world of science:
How do you evaluate the status of the Islamic World in scientific advancements and in technology-based achievements?
Very highly – there are some very eminent Islamic academics who have made major contributions in science. But it is difficult to attribute the share of scientists from the Islamic World in the science and technology progress.
How can we achieve even faster progress in science and technology development in the Islamic countries and benefit from the existing capacities?
Collaboration across sights for major clinical trials would be very welcome – some of the major trials in major areas in western countries have come from collaborations between major centers so it would be nice to foster better collaborative potential. The community needs to identify where they have needs for trials, where to focus their collective energies and then work together to be internationally competitive. Investment in clinical trial units would be helpful – pairing up with some centers in other countries which can share experience would also be helpful; I am of course biased towards clinical research.
How can the Islamic golden era pioneered through science and technology progress be revived?
This is hard to do quickly but developing the right environment for big research is important.
How do you evaluate science and technology prizes as an instrument for increasing research and development of scientists for regional development and improving the welfare of human beings?
Awards are always helpful if they are given in a competitive manner and the best chosen candidates are of a high caliber and have an excellent international reputation for research and for the quality of their impact and their presentations – this acts as a beacon for other younger Islamic researchers to know that they can achieve similar or better things.
How do you evaluate the necessity of the Mustafa Prize in developing science and technology in the world of Islam and its role in promoting the quality of the life of people?
As noted above, these awards, if given to very high caliber candidates can only help to show Islamic researchers are as bright as other groups, are articulate and can contribute major findings. It would act as a beacon to other Islamic researchers to show that they can also preform high quality, impactful research.
Prof. Naveed Amjid Sattar is the Professor of Metabolic Medicine and Honorary Consultant at Glasgow Royal Infirmary of Britain.
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