BENGALURU: Six eminent scientists and researchers were presented with the Infosys Prize 2020 by Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) at an event here on Wednesday.
The prize, which carries a cash award of $100,000 and a pure gold medal, recognises scientists and researchers from six categories — engineering and computer sciences, humanities, life sciences, mathematical sciences, physical sciences and social sciences.
Among the six winners is Arindam Ghosh, professor, department of physics, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
ISF said the winners were handpicked from 257 nominations by an accomplished jury comprising renowned scholars and professors from around the world.
NR Narayana Murthy, co-founder, Infosys and president, ISF, said to fulfil the dream of an India where the poorest children can have reasonable access to nutrition, education, healthcare and shelter, well thought-out and impactful ideas are needed. “They have to be speedily executed without corruption. Developed countries have succeeded by improving their higher education and research systems. The Infosys Prize contributes to this mission in India by honouring the best scientists and researchers, whose work has the potential to improve our world,” he said.
Murthy said the new National Education Policy will help students improve their critical thinking and proactive problem-solving abilities. This, in turn, aims to encourage research within the country. “NEP will help in bringing changes in the curriculum, how classrooms must leverage the power of learning, among others. It may not happen overnight, but I do think it will happen in years to come,” he said.
The winners were felicitated by the chief guest, Prof SR Srinivasa Varadhan, Abel Prize winner and professor, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York, US.
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‘Pandemic changing culture of academics’
Asked how the pandemic impacted research, Prof Sourav Chatterjee from Stanford University said with important meetings and virtual conferences being recorded, there will be valuable material available from many of the speakers. “It is changing the culture of academics,” he added.
Prof Hari Balakrishnan from MIT said he is amazed at how quickly the vaccine is out, but it is no magic. “It is built on decades of foundational research work,” he added.
Prof Arindam Ghosh said the pandemic has made everyone realise the importance of being self-reliant. “What we need now is a whole chain from basic research to product development,” he said.