José Vasconcelos World Award of Education 2014
Field of Work: Chemical Sciences & Global Education
Date: 17 November 2014
Place of Ceremony: A Hall
Host Institution: Aalto University
Host Country: Espoo, Finland
The 2014 Jose Vasconcelos World Award of Education has been granted to Professor Federico Rosei, Professor and Director of the Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications of the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université du Québec, Varennes, Canada.
The prize was awarded for his career both within the Chemical Sciences and as an advocate of a global approach to societal development through scientific knowledge and innovation, inspiring and educating people.
The prize also recognized his vision and talent, through which he built a global network of young researchers, many of whom have obtained important positions both in science and in society.
Professor Federico Rosei is a young scientist with a singularly clear vision of how science and its application can be used as a tool to empower individuals to address some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
Since starting his independent career in 2002, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to training and mentoring young scientists. He has assembled a diverse, talented research group by drawing over ninety trainees from 25 countries on all six continents, many of whom have returned to their home countries to practise and teach science. Over half of these have received prestigious fellowships and awards from a variety of funding agencies.
In an attempt to bridge the knowledge and science/technology gap with developing countries, Prof. Rosei has launched initiatives to aid materials research in developing countries. He has given Invited and Keynote lectures at conferences in Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zimbabwe, along with numerous seminars in academic institutions, and has also published works on the subject.
Most recently, Prof. Rosei has materialized his vision for capacity building in developing countries through the establishment of the UNESCO Chair in Materials and Technologies for Energy Conversion, Saving and Storage (MATECSS), of which he will be the inaugural Chairholder at INRS.
The creation of the network of partners that comprise MATECSS, which currently spans Algeria, China, Costa Rica, India, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Vietnam, bears testimony to Prof. Rosei’s strong connections with scientists the world over and demonstrates the reach of his educational influence.
Federico has additionally designed and implemented a graduate course to enhance soft professional skills in young scientists and help them make informed career choices. He has given over 35 Survival Skills lectures in universities worldwide and a dozen invited talks at international conferences.
The popularity of his book “Survival Skills for Scientists” published in 2006 by Imperial College Press (sold out in less than one year, reprinted twice and translated into Japanese in 2008) is a clear indicator of the value of his advice on professional development.
On another front, Prof. Rosei has delivered numerous public lectures on Energy and Society at high schools and other public venues to educate the public at large on issues of sustainability, once again reflecting his passion for education, knowledge sharing and talent inspiration at all levels.
