Thanh Ngoc Pham

On September 30^th- October 3^rd, I had great pleasure to participate in the Forum’s Young Leaders Program (YLP) of 20^th Science and Technology in Society (STS) forum in Kyoto.

On September 30^th, I had the distinct honor of engaging in free discussions with Nobel Laureates. We were divided into small groups with a diverse background from both academy and industry. Then, we have two 60-minute discussions with two Nobel Laureates. The first discussion is with Prof. Ryōji Noyori, who got Nobel prize in chemistry and the second discussion is with Prof. Georg Bednorz, who got Nobel prize in physics.

In the beginning, the Nobel Laureates shared their personal journey and the moments that they received the news that they got the prizes. They discussed the difficulties and challenges they faced and their inspirations. It was evident that dedication, curiosity, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge play key roles in their success. They emphasized on collaborations and the contributions from their colleagues on their success.

During the conversations, they also shared their thoughts on the role of science and technology in sustainable society developments and the use of new tools in performing research. They discussed ongoing research trends, challenges, and opportunities for innovation. Finally, they shared their enthusiasm for nurturing the next generation of scientists, which is truly inspiring.

During the YLP and STS forum, we have a good chance to expand our network and several great conversations with other participants. Since we are in the early-career term who engage in science and technology, we discuss the difficulties and opportunities for us to foster our career. The YLP and STS forum provides an opportunity for networking and future collaboration.

In conclusion, my YLP and STS forum are a profound and enlightening experience. Nurturing scientific curiosity and expanding collaboration are two important factors for a future success in academic career.