27.1.2011

THE 2010 GRAND PRIZE WINNER IS BOOSTING SCIENTIFIC INTERCHANGE BETWEEN FINLAND AND SWITZERLAND

On 5 January 2011, a dinner in honour of Professor Michael Grätzel, the 2010 Millennium Technology Grand Prize Winner, was hosted by Alpo Rusi, Finland’s ambassador to Switzerland, at his residence in Bern. The occasion also marked the beginning of the Call for Nominations for the 2012 Prize. The main subject of discussion among guests at the event was the importance of highlighting how technological innovation can help in solving global challenges.

”It was an excellent opportunity to describe the work that Technology Academy Finland is doing to promote technology that enhances people’s quality of life, and also to network with representatives of scientific and technological communities in another high-tech country,” said Dr. Ainomaija Haarla, President & CEO of the foundation that awards the Millennium Technology Prize. “I would like to express my warmest thanks to Ambassador Alpo Rusi and Mrs. Leena Rusi for their initiative and for an unforgettable event.”

Professor Michael Grätzel, who was awarded the 2010 Millennium Technology Grand Prize for developing dye-sensitised solar cells, said that the honour has brought tremendous benefits. “It raised public awareness of the work we are doing and has triggered additional research and further innovation in this new technological sector,” he said. “Enterprises involved in the commercial development and production of these solar cells have noticed a surge of interest ranging all the way from investors keen to provide funding to end-users wishing to participate in these exciting and promising developments. In addition to recognising my scientific achievements, the award also honoured my laboratory team, the university I work in – the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne – and Switzerland in general.”

According to Ambassador Rusi, the Millennium Technology Prize has strengthened Finland’s international reputation as a country in which high technology products are both developed and produced. “Professor Grätzel’s selection as the Grand Prize Winner has also given a real boost to the scientific relationship between Switzerland and Finland and can be expected to spur cooperation in many areas, including business and scientific research,” he said.

Similar comments were made by President René Dändliker and Secretary General Rolf Hügli from the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences: “The award of the Grand Prize to Professor Grätzel has opened up exciting opportunities for inspirational dialogue between eminent individuals from these two small European nations, both of whom have the obligation to make their industry and societies fit for the future through innovative concepts and sustainable, development-oriented research activity.”

Mauro Dell’Ambrogio, State Secretary for Education and Research at the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs, expressed her opinion that now, more than ever, the planet’s future hinges on innovative human responses and technologies. “The Millennium Technology Prize is recognition of such achievements,” she said. “We therefore wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to Technology Academy Finland for awarding the Prize, and to Professor Grätzel for exemplifying Switzerland’s research landscape which, regardless of its small geographical extent, is tackling major issues in successful ways.”

Professor Dieter Imboden, President of the National Research Council of the Swiss National Science Foundation, said that the Finnish initiative has demonstrated to Switzerland and other smaller countries that there is always room for good ideas and new initiatives: “The award‘s international orientation underlines the need for both cooperation and healthy competition across national borders. I am especially proud and grateful that a scientist working in Switzerland received the Grand Prize. I take it as a positive reflection on the competitive nature of research carried out in our country.”

Further information:

President & CEO, Dr. Ainomaija Haarla, Technology Academy Finland
Tel +358 40 716 0703, firstname.lastname (at) technologyacademy.fi