The 2020 Tang Prize Award Ceremony took place virtually at 2p.m. (GMT+8) on November 20. Eight 2020 recipients of the prize from seven countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Singapore, Bangladesh, Colombia, and Lebanon, attended this heartwarming event remotely, where they were greeted with congratulations and applause from audiences all over the world. The Tang Prize Foundation would like to thank everyone participating online, sharing with us this glorious and joyful occasion, and witnessing together the celebration of the outstanding achievements and the international influence of eight laureates considered by many as pioneers in their respective fields.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Jenn-Chuan Chern, CEO of the Tang Prize Foundation, explained that the COVID pandemic that engulfed the entire world in 2020 had disrupted the plans the Foundation previously worked out. Though Dr. Samuel Yin, founder of the Tang Prize Foundation, had hoped that once the pandemic receded, the 2020 laureates could travel to Taiwan to receive the awards and take part in a series of activities, the fact that the virus continues to wreak havoc worldwide in 2021 has led the Foundation to finally decide to hold a virtual award ceremony and welcome our friends from every corner of the world to join us in recognizing and honoring the laureates’ remarkable achievements and invaluable contributions. Dr. Chern also expressed his gratitude for the president and members of the Selection Committee, as well as experts and scholars who were involved in the selection process, citing their professionalism, meticulousness, unbiased judgement and great vision as reasons the best candidates could be selected as winners.

Sustainable Development laureate Dr. Jane Goodall joined the ceremony via video link from her home in the U.K. In her acceptance speech, Dr. Goodall thanked “the efforts and friendship of so many amazing people along the way,” especially “the staff, the volunteers and the boards of the Jane Goodall Institutes (JGIs) around the world.” With regard to many global problems facing us today, such as climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and the COVID pandemic, Dr. Goodall assured us that every JGI was doing their best to tackle them. She also praised the JGI in Taiwan for their excellent work and great accomplishment, adding that she would use the prize money to fund JGIs’ many projects, specially the Roots & Shoots, a program designed to empower young people and now being run in 65 countries.

Dr. Charles Dinarello, one of the three winners of the prize in Biopharmaceutical Science, attended the ceremony through video conferencing from his workplace at the University of Colorado. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Dinarello spoke about feeling “very fortunate” to be in the position of witnessing the development of research on IL-1, which has helped “lift the burden of disease.” He also acknowledged many scientists whose contributions have made “IL-1 blocking therapeutics” and other “therapeutic innovations” possible. Finally, he encouraged young researchers to stay positive, “have ethical considerations and caution,” and dedicate themselves to their work. All the efforts will eventually pay off, because “science,” he asserted, “has no boundaries.”

Making his acceptance speech from the garden in his house in the U.K., Dr. Marc Feldmann, another recipient of the 2020 prize in Biopharmaceutical Science, pointed out that “news of this award came last year, during the pandemic,” to which many people had lost their lives. But it was an “opportune” moment, as the research of three 2020 laureates in Biopharmaceutical Science is about inflammation, which “is what kills patients with severe COVID.” Therefore, he was pleased to see the discoveries they made being used in clinical trials for the treatment of COVID patients. Receiving the prize also made him reflect on his life, and give thanks to his colleagues and family. Because of their support, he could have “the opportunity to change the world for the better, for millions of patients.”

Dr. Tadamitsu Kishimoto, also an awardee of the prize in Biopharmaceutical Science, received his prizes remotely in Japan. Speaking from Osaka University’s Immunology Frontier Research Center, he noted the significance of the recognition from the Tang Prize for his lifelong research on IL-6, which resulted in the development of the drug, tocilizumab, now being used in more than 100 countries to ease the pain of millions of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Winner of the prize for Sinology Prof. Wang Gungwu gave his acceptance speech through a video call from the National University of Singapore. Pointing out that Sinology as a field deserves further exploration and hoping that “the award of the Tang Prize” would “draw more attention to the value of Sinic civilization to the betterment of the human condition,” he also commended Dr. Samuel Yin “for his wisdom and generosity in establishing the Tang Prize,” particularly for his insight that led to the prize in Sinology.

Representatives from three NGOs that were awarded the prize for Rule of Law, Ms. Syeda Rizwana Hasan of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, Prof. Vivian Newman Pont of Dejusticia: The Center for Law, Justice and Society, and Ms. Ghida Frangieh of The Legal Agenda, went online at their homes or offices to receive the awards. Appreciating how the recognition from the Tang Prize has given non-governmental organizations a much-needed boost, they promised to continue the fight for social and environmental justice, for the rights of marginalized groups, and for important issues such as judicial independence, in order to uphold the principles of the rule of law. Winning the Tang Prize has given them renewed impetus to keep soldiering on, and regardless of how difficult the challenges and circumstances are, they know they would persist in their pursuit of progress and innovation.

With the enthusiastic participation of audiences around the globe, the first virtual Tang Prize Award Ceremony has come to a successful end. We hope life will return to normal in the coming year so that an in-person award ceremony can be held in Taiwan, a tradition of the Tang Prize that has been observed since 2014.

To relive the inspiring moments of this ceremony and witness again the charm of the eight 2020 laureates, please visit our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/lN0ADXBNT-Q for Chinese subtitles, or https://youtu.be/56GwDm3EL0g for English subtitles.

【2020 Tang Prize Awarding Ceremony】Cordially invite you to join "Tang Prize Award Ceremony" and "Tang Prize Laureate Lecture

The Tang Prize Foundation will hold the “2020 Tang Prize Awarding Ceremony” at 2p.m. Taipei time (GMT+8), on November 20, 2021. Eight laureates will get online in their respective countries to receive the awards and make acceptance speeches. Viewers all over the world are cordially invited to take part in this joyful celebration of the outstanding achievements of our 2020 laureates.

In conjunction with the forthcoming awarding ceremony, eight laureate’s lectures have been scheduled for November 20 and 27. Anyone interested in topics related to sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, Sinology, and the rule of law is welcomed to visit the Foundation’s website and YouTube channel on these two Saturdays to watch these masters’ insightful analysis of issues concerning ecological conservation and environmental education, basic research on cytokines and the treatment of autoimmune diseases, the future of China, as well as human rights, social justice and democracy. Several laureates will also share stories about the challenges they encountered when pursing their goals in their specific fields and how they were able to adopt a different mindset and found the solutions they needed.

These events will be occasions where you can witness the laureates’ noble spirit and learn about their great contributions and great vision. It’s time for us to pay more attention to the sustainable development of our planet.

For more information, please go to our official website: www.tang-prize.org , and Facebook page: www.facebook.come/tangprize/.

The following is agenda:

LIVE STREAM for Award Ceremony

Facebook  https://fb.me/e/QcNDZHGR

YouTube (English)️ https://youtu.be/56GwDm3EL0g

YouTube (Mandarin)️ https://youtu.be/lN0ADXBNT-Q

We cordially invite you to join!

On 21st October 2021, during the COVID-19 epidemic, at the Russian State University named after A.N. Kosygin within the framework of the International Scientific and Technical Forum 3rd INTERNATIONAL KOSYGIN READINGS (2nd International Kosygin Forum), Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation the International and Russian Academies of Engineering and the Russian Academy of Engineering held a symposium on MODERN ENGINEERING PROBLEMS OF KEY BRANCHES OF THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY by remote conference. Kosygin Forum was approved by the United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The theme was "Modern Tasks of Engineering". The focus of the discussion is "Modern Engineering Issues in Key Economic Fields", including the first section: " Scientific research, design and structural design of technological processes in industries" and the second section: " Technological processes, management, and automation of processes in key industries and related sectors of the Russian economy".

President Boris Gusev of the Russian Academy of Engineering

President Boris Gusev of the Russian Academy of Engineering delivered an opening speech on " International Engineering Academy: History of Creation and Development Prospects". Jenn-Chuan Chern, Vice President of the International Academy of Engineering and President of Taiwan Chapter, was also invited to deliver "COP-26, Sustainable Development, 2019 COVID-19 and Tang Prize" conference speech, aiming at the first five-year review of the implementation and strengthening of the COP21 Paris Agreement after the United Nations held on 31st October, and in recent years The global epidemic and climate change and other complex disasters have brought serious challenges to sustainable development, and the Tang Prize and the winners have shared their appeals and contributions. Vice President Jenn-Chuan Chern also hoped that the world will be able to adapt and strengthen its capabilities at a higher level. Governments of various countries can cooperate to assist people in disadvantaged countries, adopt reasonable policies, effective systems, better facilities, and more intangible assets investment (including scientific research). In addition, governments can prepare for the worst and combine the strength of civil society and enterprises to work together for the present and future of the earth.

Tang Prize laureate Jane Goodall gave her book as present to Jenn-Chuan Chern, Vice President of the International Academy of Engineering and President of Taiwan Chapter

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Russia Academy of Engineering (RAE) and the Russia International Academy of Engineering (IAE), the “International Scientific & Practical Conference Dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of RAE and IAE” was held on May 13. Hosted by President Gusev Boris of both RAE and IAE, the conference centered on discussions of topics that included energy and aviation technology, earthquakes and earthquake engineering, high-speed rail and public transport systems, nuclear energy and nuclear technology, nanotechnology and construction materials, circular economy, the development of polar regions and its technology, food technology, environmental protection, urban and rural renewal, and so forth

RAE and IAE President Gusev Boris took turns to make the opening remarks

President Gusev and Dr. Samuel Yin, first honorary president of the IAE, took turns to make their opening remarks. Dr. Yin paid special tribute to the RAE and IAE for the extraordinary contributions they have made to the advancement of world’s engineering technology and sustainable development during the past thirty years, while giving his best wishes for a successful conference. He then kick-started the conference with a speech titled “New Trends in the Technological Development of Taiwan Construction Industry.” In addition, Dr. Jenn-Chuan Chern, president of the Taiwan Chapter of the IAE (TCIAE) & CEO of Tang Prize Foundation, gave a talk on “Tang Prize, 2020 Laureates and COVID-19 Reflection.” 18 invited essays and 82 essays were also presented in this conference.

Dr. Samuel Yin, first honorary president of the IAE, started the conference with a speech titled “New Trends in the Technological Development of Taiwan Construction Industry.”

Dr. Jenn-Chuan Chern, President of the Taiwan Chapter of the IAE (TCIAE) & CEO of Tang Prize Foundation, gave a talk on “Tang Prize, 2020 Laureates and COVID-19 Reflection.”」

Representatives from Taiwan made two presentations on their excellent research outcomes. Prof. Duu-Jong Lee of National Taiwan University and Prof. Jo-Shu Chang of National Cheng Kung University talked about “Microalgal Energy: Challenges and Perspectives,” and three former directors of Taiwan’s National Centre for Research on Earthquake Engineering, Prof. Shyh-Jiann Hwang, Prof. Kuo-Chun Chang, and Prof. Keh-Chyuan Tsai, shared their views on “Advancement of Earthquake Mitigation in Taiwan.”

Apart from facilitating the interactions between the TCIAE and representatives from 40 different countries, including members of engineering institutes in countries such as Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, as well as people from countries such as Belarus and Slovenia, this conference was also a venue where attendees were able to learn about the Tang Prize’s efforts to make the world a better place. President Gusev expressed his profound gratitude to Dr. Yin, who is also the founder of the Tang Prize, and to the representatives from Taiwan, for their support and participation, all of which have made this conference a great success.