The Mustafa Prize for Science & Technology in the Islamic World Launched in Tehran- Iran - December 25, 2015

Go Back

The Mustafa (PBUH) Prize for significant contributions in the field of science and technology in the Islamic World was launched recently in Tehran, Iran with the announcement of two prizes for 2015. The first ever Mustafa Prize Award Ceremony was held on Friday December 25 at Vahdat Hall (Talar-e-Vahdat).

It began in the presence of senior political, cultural, scientific and social officials, scholars from Islamic countries, and guests of this top science and technology award in Vahdat Hall- Tehran. Over 60 guest scientists from 28 countries participated in the ceremony. Mustafa Prize was granted to Professor (Ms.) Jackie Y. Ying, the Executive Director of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology of Singapore, and to Professor Omar Yaghi from Jordan. Professor Yaghi is the Co-Director of Kavli Energy Nanosciences Institute and faculty member of University of California, Berkeley. Mustafa (pbuh) Prize in its first round was awarded in “Nanoscience and Nanotechnology” and “top scientific achievement in other fields” categories.

Dr. Sourena Sattari, Vice President for Science and Technology, Dr. Alireza Marandi, President of Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences and Dr. Abdolsalam Al-Majali President of Islamic World’s Academy of Sciences gave the prestigious Mustafa (pbuh) Prize to the winners. Laureates of Mustafa (pbuh) Prize also received scientific badge of the Academy of Sciences handed to them by the President of Iranian Academy of Sciences.

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. The Mustafa Prize seeks to encourage education and research and is set to play the pioneering role in developing regional relations between science and technology institutions working in the OIC member countries.  It also aims to improve scientific relation between academics and researchers in order to facilitate the growth and perfection of science in the OIC member states.

The Mustafa Prize is purposed to encourage and to promote science and technology development in order to enhance the quality of life by appreciating the top works of Scientists within the Islamic world. It is to improve scientific relations between academics and researchers in order to facilitate the growth of science in OIC Member state. It is one great prize to encourage the development in science and innovation technologies and its implication in the Muslim world.

The Mustafa Prize Award Ceremony was also attended by President ECOSF Professor Manzoor Hussain Soomro, who made a commitment to contribute financially towards the Endowment Fund established to the Prize. On the occasion, Prof. Soomro also met the Vice President of Iran for Science and Technology Dr. Sourena Sattari and introduced ECOSF to him.

On the occasion, a group of scientists and guests of Mustafa (pbuh) Prize paid a visit to the Centre for Innovation and Technology Cooperation of the Presidency and were introduced to the growth and developments in the field of science and technology. President ECOSF Professor Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro from Pakistan, Professor Ideris from Malaysia, , Professor Kuku from Nigeria, Professor Parker from South Africa, Professor Riazuddin, Professor M. Iqbal Chaudhary, Dr. Imtinan Elahi and Dr. Shaukat Hameed Khan from Pakistan and Professor Faizan from India were also present. Mohammad Lawal Boga, President of Raw Material Development and Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Development Council of Nigeria were among the participants.

Distinguished guests and scientists also visited Pardis Technology Park and Biotechnology and Nanotechnology corporations.  Professor Omar Yaghi, faculty member of University of California, Berkeley, Professor Manzoor Soomro President of ECO Science Foundation, Professor Imtinan Elahi Qureshi from Pakistan, Professor Faizan Ahmad from India and Professor Mostafa El-Sayed University professor in USA were among this group. Professor Al-Majali, Chairman of the Islamic World Academy of Sciences from Jordan, Professor Abdallah Daar University professor in Canada from Oman, Prof. Sheikh Riazuddin from Pakistan, Prof. Aderemi Oluyomi Kuku from Nigeria, Professor Saghar Taghrid from Jordan, Prof. Aini Ideris from Jordan, Professor Goerge Chi Yang, University professor in USA were also among this group. Amin Reza Khaleghian General Director of Public Relations Office of Pardis Technology Park accompanied the guests to show them the park’s achievements exhibition which presented cell therapy services of Sinacell, the molecular detection methods, scientific achievements of Pargasiran Co., Sina Kavosh Electrics and some other technological systems. During the visit Professor Manzoor Soomro was also interviewed by an Iranian TV Chanel.

The visit was followed by a meeting with Mahdi Safarinia, President of Pardis Technology Park and Secretary of Policy Making Council of Mustafa (pbuh) Prize. At the meeting Khaleghian explained about the history of Pardis Technology Park and Iran’s scientific status. The products of the park were also presented to the guests and they asked questions about these products. After the meeting, the guests visited Biotechnology companies like Pouyesh Darou and Nanotechnology ones like Ara Pazhouhesh.

A visit to AryoGen Bio-medicine Company was also arranged by the hosts. An introductory photo slide was played which gave information about pharmaceutical and health products of the company. Then, Mohammad Saffarioun, Quality Assurance Director of the company answered questions of the guests about products, scientific and technological achievements of the company. He then outlined the developments of AryoGen in the field of pharmaceutical products and explained the procedures of the company. He also talked about different sectors of the company, and the number of employees and their education. It is worth noting that according to Saffarioun explanation, AryoGen has been active in transferring knowledge and technologies to ECO Member States.