13.6.2010

FINNS ALSO WELCOME!

Technology Academy Finland has now awarded the Millennium Technology Prize four times. So far there has not been any Finnish scientists among the Laureates.

Risto Nieminen, Aalto University Professor and Chairman of the International Selection Committee of the Millennium Prize emphasised Finns are not excluded from nominations: “We would like to get more nominations from Finland, but of course Finns are evaluated with similar criteria as any other nominees. Finns don’t get a head start.”

One of the founding members of the Millennium Prize Foundation, Dr. Johan Gullichsen thinks that it wouldn’t be politically correct or advantageous for the Millennium Prize to give it to a Finnish candidate too soon.

“This is the fourth time that Technology Academy Finland awarded the prize, and perhaps next time it might already be suitable to grant it to a Finn – if there is a great Finnish innovation among the nominations, that is,” Gullichsen said.

This time there were no nominees from Finland among the 55 nominations. Most of them came from the United States (6), Germany (4), the United Kingdom (4) and Australia (4).

Professor emeritus Johan Gullichsen himself holds more than 60 patents in the field of cellulosic technology. However, he thinks that if the prize stayed in Finland, it would more likely be given to biotechnology than forest industry – or even to some mobile phone technology.

Professor Nieminen finds several potential Finnish people whose innovations would be worth the prize:

“It doesn’t have to be any of those sexy, futuristic technologies like nanotech or information technology. It could be something already established, an old innovation that has been proven to be a great innovation enriching our everyday life, even though we might not pay attention to it. There is always a risk when praising modern, new technology. Best technology does not always win modern competitions, like the old Beta-VHS example tells us.”

Would for instance Leena Peltonen-Palotie be worth the prize, if she was still among us?

“Certainly, even though she was rather using technology than creating it in her career. Keep in mind that this is not a medical science trophy. The 2008 Winner Robert Langer has made his career in medical science, but he got the Grand Prize because for developing technological methods for doctors and the pharmaceutical industry.”

Who might the Finnish Laureates be then?

“At least 3 to 6 people come to mind. Certainly Linus Torvards, and some people working with mobile phone technology. But what I hope most is that there would be more women among the nominees!” PV