Nikkei Inc. has announced the winners of the 2011 Nikkei Asia Prizes, which recognize achievements that contribute to the improved well-being of Asian people.
In the category of regional growth, Antonio Meloto, 61, Chairman of Gawad Kalinga, the Philippines, received the award for his commitment to improving the living conditions of the poor. He has made life better for residents in slum areas by constructing more than 200,000 homes in 2,000 communities in the Philippines and in other developing countries such as Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.
In the science, technology and innovation category, Wu Maw-Kuen, 61, Director of Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taiwan received the award in honor of his achievement of many results in the area of superconductivity research, such as the discovery of a substance that has an electrical resistance of zero even at a high temperature of minus 200 degrees Celsius. He has also contributed greatly to advancement of science and technology in Taiwan.
Bao Ninh, 58, Vietnamese novelist, won the culture prize. He authored the novel "The Sorrow of War," a story based on his military service experience. He popularized Doi Moi (renovation) literature both at home and abroad.
Nikkei Asia Prizes
Launched by Nikkei Inc. in 1996, the awards program honors people in Asia who have made significant contributions in three areas: regional growth; science, technology and innovation; and culture.
The prizes target individuals and groups in northeastern, southeastern, southern and central Asia, excluding Japan. The selection committee is chaired by Shoichiro Toyoda, honorary chairman of Nippon Keidanren.
