Professor Soumitra Dutta has been made a judge for the VinFuture Prize, a global competition rewarding exceptional scientific and technological accomplishments.
He becomes the 13th member of the Prize Council, which supports the pledging of US$4.5 million annually to innovations that have created, or have the potential to create, meaningful changes in millions of people’s lives across the planet. It is one of the largest annual global prizes of it's kind.
The VinFuture Prize sits at the heart of the VinFuture Foundation, a non-profit organization co-founded by billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong and his wife, Pham Thu Huong. The Prize Council is a global and diverse team of distinguished individuals from academia, research, and industry, all of whom are globally renowned for their achievements in advancing human progress and contributions in the fields of science, technology, and industry. The Prize Council is responsible for reviewing and ratifying the fields of focus and the selection process, as well as selecting the VinFuture Laureates.
Professor Sir Richard Friend, Chair of the VinFuture Prize Council, welcomed Soumitra. He said: 'Professor Soumitra Dutta has made a profound impact on the business world, particularly in the areas of social media, social networking, and strategies for leveraging the digital economy to drive growth and innovation. His efforts to foster and disseminate knowledge on technology and innovation policy have been instrumental in creating an ideal environment for innovative individuals and technologies to thrive. His work has laid a solid foundation for the successful integration of new technologies into the business world. The VinFuture Foundation is honored to have Professor Dutta join as a member of the Prize Council.'
Soumitra is also the architect and co-editor of the Global Innovation Index, published with the World Intellectual Property Organization, which now has become the global standard for innovation rankings. Previously he served as a Professor of Management, as well as the Founding Dean, at the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University in New York.
Commenting on his appointment, Soumitra said: 'I am honoured to be a part of this esteemed group of leading experts from around the world. Drawing upon my interdisciplinary background in social sciences, technology, and business, I aim to provide valuable perspectives to aid the decision-making process. Together with my colleagues on the Council, I possess valuable global perspectives, and I am committed to contributing to the selection of the most deserving and pioneering innovators who will shape our future.'