Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation

Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation, abbreviated as MSTF, is a foundation established in 2018.

The main objectives of the foundation are enhancing the development of science and technology in the Islamic World, improving scientific relations between academics and researchers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states,[1] honoring the scientists of the Islamic world, and training future scientists worldwide.[2]

Mahdi Safarinia is the CEO of Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation.[3]

Events

Mustafa Prize

The Mustafa Prize, often referred to as "the Iranian version of the Nobel Prize,"[4][5] is a science and technology award granted biennially to the top researchers and scientists of the Islamic World.[6] The prize recognizes leading researchers and scientists from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as well as Muslim researchers from around the world.[7] "This Prize is awarded to works which have contributed to the improvement of human life and have innovations within the boundaries of knowledge and technology".[2]

The Prize is awarded in four categories, namely “Life and Medical Science and Technology”, “Nanoscience and Nanotechnology”, “Information and Communication Science and Technology”, and “All areas of science and technology”. The laureates in each field are awarded US$500,000/- which is financed through the endowments made to the Prize. They are also given a special medal and certificate.[8]

Science and Technology Exchange Program (STEP)

STEP is a platform, organized by Mustafa science and technology foundation, to expand the scientific network amongst the STI actors of the Islamic world in form of holding international events and laying the groundwork for enhancing scientific synergy and cooperation.[9] This event is usually held alongside the Mustafa Prize, which together comprise the Mustafa Prize week.

The 7th STEP
Professor Ugur Sahin, the 2019 Mustafa Prize laureate, giving a speech on "Developing COVID-19 mRNA vaccines" during the 7th STEP

This meeting was held virtually "focusing on knowledge sharing to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic". The two-day program addressed “Sharing Experiences and Observations of the Islamic Countries’ Medical Staff in Dealing with COVID-19” and “Scientific discoveries, Technological innovations and Strategies Facing Coronavirus Challenges”.[10] Several Mustafa Prize laureates and eminent scientists and healthcare activists from countries such as Italy, Japan, China, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Singapore, and Turkey participated in this program to share their research findings, experiences, and achievements regarding COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

Exposure of Industries to Scientists’ Achievements (EISA)

EISA is a commercial platform assembled to bring The Islamic World's scientific community and academia closer together, enabling technological achievements in products and services to be introduced to new markets, industries, and investors.[12]

Noor Student Competition

This event is held among school students to motivate the adolescent generation of the Islamic world and broaden horizons in science and technology. Each round of this competition is named after one legendary figure in the history of Islamic science or contemporary scholars to inspire the students.[2] 

The latest and fourth round of Noor Student Competition was held in recognition of Professor Omar Yaghi, a 2015 Mustafa Prize laureate, with the goal of making 60-second scientific videos.

Knowledge Application and Notion for Society (KANS)

The MSTF established this competition in 2017 with the aim of “bouncing ideas around in academic community to address the problems of the Islamic world in areas of water and environment, energy, health, information technology, and economics.”

This international event is held at the university level in order to use the capabilities possessed by students, researchers, and professors from universities and scientific centers, who participate in the event by submitting their scientific papers or scientific videos.[13][14]

Other events

Science Promotion Meetings

Science Promotion Meetings are a series of meetings held by the MSTF in order to communicate science and scientific achievements to the public. Two recent meeting were held to discuss the efficacy of methods to fight COVID-19 [15] and COVID-19 treatment through plasma therapy.[16]

References
  1. https://plus.google.com/113403756129291503583 (2016-12-20). "STEP Forum Opens in Malaysia". Financial Tribune. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  2. Mamhoori, Ali. "The Mustafa (pbuh) Science and Technology Foundation; A Platform to Develop Science and Technology in Islamic World" (PDF). Global Journals. 18: 15–21.
  3. "Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation and UNOSSC Launch South-South in Action Publication in Tehran". UNOSSC. 2018-10-22. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
  4. "Mustafa Prize convenes experts to discuss coronavirus".
  5. Agency, Anadolu (2019-11-11). "2 Turkish professors awarded prestigious science award in Iran". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  6. "Nominees for Mustafa Prize 2019 being assessed by final jury". Tehran Times. 2019-06-12. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
  7. Khan, Ahmed (25 March 2016). "Iran launches the Mustafa Prize for Sciences" (PDF). Current Science. 110: 961.
  8. "2019 Mustafa Prize names 5 laureates from Iran, Turkey". Mehr News Agency. 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2020-08-04.
  9. "Science and Technology Exchange Program".
  10. https://plus.google.com/+UNESCO (2020-05-11). "UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office Supports the 7th STEP Summit". UNESCO. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  11. "COVID-19 necessitates networking among Islamic countries". www.irandaily.ir. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  12. "Khazar University's Representatives Participated in 6th STEP and Mustafa Prize Ceremony". khazar.org. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  13. "Intl. KANS Awards announces winners". Tehran Times. 2018-11-13. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  14. "Ingenuity-based achievements, main selection criterion for KANS". ISNA. 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  15. "Iranian Think Tank Rejects Herd Immunity as A Way to Tackle COVID-19 - Society/Culture news". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  16. "Mustafa Foundation Science Promotion Meeting on COVID-19 treatment process through plasma therapy". Iran Press (in Persian). 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
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