JAKARTA, 10 January 2022 – Today, the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI), in partnership with the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Underwriters Laboratories, launched the 8th Underwriters Laboratories-ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women 2022 call for applications.
The 2022 competition aims to raise awareness on cutting edge advancements by women in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research in addressing pressing issues in ASEAN communities. Candidates working in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) fields will compete in two categories, (i) Mid-career scientist category for scientists aged 45 years and below, and (ii) Senior Scientist category for scientists aged 46 and older, over the next several months.
Underwriters Laboratories, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the discovery and application of scientific knowledge, will award US$12,500 to each of the winners in both categories and US$5,000 to to the runner-up finalists.
This year’s theme is Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health and Safety, chosen for its importance in delivering better and more affordable healthcare services to over 660 million inhabitants of ASEAN. In addition, robust AI applications can strengthen environmental safety in the workplace, bolster security of industry processing systems, and help address COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts to deter future epidemics.
“Underwriters Laboratories continues to proudly support the work of women scientists in the ASEAN region through the science prize,’’ said Dr. Christopher J. Cramer, Underwriters Laboratories senior vice president and chief research officer. “We especially appreciate the opportunity to recognise these extraordinary scientists as they strive to harness the promise of artificial intelligence to safely and equitably garner long-term health and economic benefits for communities in the region.”
“The United States is proud to promote, along with ASEAN and Underwriters Laboratories, women scientists that capitalise on artificial intelligence solutions to counter the region’s environmental, health, and safety challenges,\’\’ said Rachel Cooke, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the U.S. Mission to ASEAN. “Through USAID’s continued support for this successful annual competition, the United States reaffirms its commitment to close gender gaps so that more women can help shape advancements in STEM fields.”
Chair of the ASEAN COSTI 2022 and Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of Viet Nam Bui The Duy conveyed that, “research and work in AI by talented women scientists of the region will not only benefit the local communities but will more importantly enable replication that will improve millions of lives within the region.”
Since 2014, the Science Prize for Women represents an ongoing successful U.S. initiative in support of ASEAN and its 10 member states. As part of the U.S. strategic approach to the Indo-Pacific, USAID partners with ASEAN to promote prosperity and security through economic inclusion, women’s empowerment, and good governance.
Applicants are encouraged to send applications and learn more about this year’s competition through the Underwriters Laboratories-ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women website. Applicants must be ASEAN citizens and hold a doctoral degree. The deadline for applications is 18 March 2022.
For further queries related to the contest, applicants can email scienceprize4women@gmail.com and for public outreach, contact USAID ASEAN Communications and Outreach Specialist, Samara Sanders at: jakartausaidasean@usaid.gov
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About ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) brings together Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam in a community united by a common desire and collective will to live in a region of lasting peace, security and stability, sustained economic growth, shared prosperity and social progress, and to promote our vital interests, ideals and aspirations.
About USAID
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful and prosperous world. Through international development programmes and disaster assistance, USAID partners to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises, progress beyond assistance and attain self-reliance.
About Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing the UL public safety mission through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. They conduct rigorous independent research and analyse safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide the safe, sustainable commercialisation of evolving technologies. To learn more, visit UL.org.