Mustafa Prize also aims to improve scientific relations between academics and researchers in order to facilitate the growth and perfection of science in the OIC member states.
The Prize is awarded in four categories, “Life Sciences and Medicine”, “Nanoscience and Nanotechnology”, “Information and Communication Technologies”, and “Top Scientific Achievement in general fields”. The laureates in each section will be awarded 500,000 USD which is financed through the endowments made to the Investment and Endowment Fund of Mustafa Prize. The winners will also be adorned with a special medal and certificate.
Mustafa Prize Initiative commenced in 2013 by Iran. The Policy Making Council of the Prize which is tasked with supervising various procedures of the event is comprised of high-profile universities and academic centers of OIC member states. The prize will be granted to the works which are deemed to have improved the human life and have made tangible and cutting-edge innovations on the boundaries of science or have presented new scientific methodologies.
Mustafa Prize was designed with reviewing more than 300 global awards and other international standards. More than 200 scientific centers cooperate with Mustafa Prize as nominating agencies (a center per country average).
The jury of Mustafa Prize consists of 7 senior Iranian and foreign scientists and consultants. The work and achievements of selected scientists for this Prize should be innovative and creative and must further extend frontiers of knowledge. It should also have a tangible effect on the lives of people. The work must not be precedent while the candidate must have a global reputation.
The main ceremony for the first round of Mustafa Prize took place on Friday 25 December 2015 with presence of more than 60 distinguished guests from 28 countries and high-profile officials, politicians and celebrities of Iran. The laureates were introduced by a short documentary and gave a speech after receiving their medals and certificates.
According to the guests, the ceremony was very prestigious, outstanding and one of a kind.
Laureates of Mustafa Prize 2015
Professor Jackie Y. Ying, Executive Director of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology of Singapore for her outstanding work in development of “Stimuli Responsive Drug Delivery Systems” and Professor Omar Yaghi, Co-Director of Kavli Energy Nanosciences Institute and faculty member of University of California, Berkeley for his achievements in design and development of new class of compounds called “Metal Organic Frameworks” are the laureates in the fields of Nano-biotechnology sciences and Nanoscience and Nanotechnology respectively.
The laureates of the Mustafa Prize 2015 participated in a few meetings the day after the main ceremony and elaborated on their achievements.
Decisions for the future of Mustafa Prize
Secretary of Policy Making Council of Mustafa Prize revealed new decisions which were made during the 6th meeting of the council.
Selection of new universities of Muslim countries and international Islamic organizations as members of the Policy Making Council, adding two major Muslim countries to the prize organization, and expanding the fourth category of the Mustafa Prize into two new categories were among the decisions.
Investment and Endowment Fund of Mustafa (pbuh) Prize
Mustafa Prize is financed through endowments. The Investment and Endowment Fund of Mustafa Prize is in charge of facilitating and coordinating the relations of the donors and endowers. The Investment and Endowment Fund of Mustafa Prize was approved by Iran Stock Exchange and established with the initial budget of 50 Billion Rials and with the perspective of becoming the biggest investment fund for the development of science and technology in Islamic world. The slogan of the fund is “Every Muslim, a contribution to the development of science and technology”.
The Islamic Development Bank and other Islamic institutions are working closely with the Investment and Endowment Fund of Mustafa Prize. Recently, a project is being commenced by the IDB to construct a big center on an endowed land. The profits of this center will be dedicated to Mustafa Prize.
Any individuals or institutions can become partners of the Investment and Endowment Fund and dedicate part of their initial investment and/or profits to Mustafa Prize.
MS/PR