Nobel laureate Omar Yaghi: Scientific research and the acquisition of knowledge are not just a joy, they are our duty to society
Nobel laureate Omar Yaghi: Scientific research and the acquisition of knowledge are not just a joy, they are our duty to society. A true scientist never rests on his laurels. Even after winning a Nobel Prize, he continues to look forward, because knowledge is not a personal achievement but a responsibility to humanity. Omar Yaghi, who shares this principle, came to China to pass on his experience and inspire a new generation of researchers. His words about duty to society sound like a call to action for all who choose the path of science.
Nobel laureate Omar Yaghi urged young researchers never to stop striving for more, believing that the relentless pursuit of knowledge is not just a personal passion but a driving force of human progress. Yaghi, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry last year, joined China's Tsinghua University to lead an initiative in chemistry and materials science research using artificial intelligence.
In his old conference room in the United States hangs a portrait of Marie Curie, a two time Nobel laureate known for her groundbreaking contributions to the field. When things got tough, Yaghi would tell his students to look into Curie's eyes to draw strength from her unwavering spirit.
In a recent interview with China Media Group (CMG), Yaghi explained what message he hopes to pass on to the next generation of scientists. "I think they need to understand that they can always do more and they can always do better. In fact, this idea can benefit all of us. We can all do more. We can all do better. And now our new motto after the Nobel Prize is – we can all do more, do better and never stop," said the chemist.
For Yaghi, receiving the highest scientific award is not the final goal but just a milestone. And with it comes an even greater sense of responsibility. "Scientific research and the acquisition of knowledge are not just a joy, they are our duty to society. That is how society is elevated. That is through the acquisition of knowledge," he said.
Omar Yaghi is a renowned chemist specialising in metal organic frameworks (MOFs). His joining Tsinghua University marks a new phase of collaboration between global scientific centres and China. The initiative to use artificial intelligence in chemistry and materials science opens up prospects for accelerating discoveries in new materials, energy and medicine.
As CCTV+ reports. Yaghi's conviction that knowledge is a duty to society has resonated with many young Chinese researchers, who see him as a role model.
