GERMANY'S STAR SCIENTISTS: TÜRECI AND ŞAHIN - THE TURKISH IMMIGRANTS WHO CHANGED HISTORY
German National Prize bestowed upon BioNTech founders
The German National Prize, a prestigious annual award given by the German National Foundation, has a new set of recipients this year - Özlem Türeci and Uğur Şahin, the co-founders of BioNTech. These Turkish-origin scientists took a significant step forward in the world of medicine and science, earning them a spot among history's great German scientists.
Robert Koch, Rudolf Virchow, and Karl Hirsch are just a few revered names in German history, but Türeci and Şahin are now joining their ranks. Chancellor Friedrich Merz bestowed this honor during a ceremony at the French Friedrichstadt Church in Berlin, where he addressed them as modern medicine pioneers.
Merz stressed that the duo was being honored with the 2025 German National Prize for their courage to venture into the unknown, emphasizing their remarkable feat in creating a vaccine for the COVID-19 pandemic – a development that usually takes about eight years – in record time. It's safe to say that the world will never forget the name BioNTech!
THE "OVERLOOKED" GENERATION
During his speech, Merz drew attention to the broader significance of Türeci and Şahin's success, as they are the children of Turkish immigrants. He referenced the first generation of guest workers in Germany, which has seen little recognition until now.
Şahin himself has used the term "overlooked generation" to describe their experiences, and Merz agreed that it's a perspective that should not be forgotten. He encouraged Germany to continue supporting talent, regardless of social or ethnic background, to ensure a bright future for their liberal order.
Türeci and Şahin expressed their gratitude for the award and, in their speeches, emphasized the importance of unity and embracing diversity as a foundation for progress.
The first wave of Turkish immigrants arrived in Germany in the 1960s under a labor recruitment agreement, and today, about 3 million people of Turkish descent still reside in Germany. Their achievements underscore the value of immigration to drive progress and innovation, challenging narrow-minded ideologies and promoting a more inclusive society.
[1] Dr. Özlem Türeci and Prof. Uğur Şahin: Heroes of the Modern Age[2] BioNTech: Pioneers in Immunotherapies for Cancer, Infectious Diseases, and Beyond[3] The Impact of Skilled Immigration on Germany's Prosperity and Progress[4] Inclusive Meritocracy and the Role of Migration in Germany's Future[5] Overcoming Preconceptions: Celebrating the Achievements of Immigrant Talent in Germany
- The success of Dr. Özlem Türeci and Prof. Uğur Şahin, the Turkish-origin founders of BioNTech, has shed light on the 'overlooked generation' of immigrants in Germany, prompting conversations about the importance of recognizing and supporting talent regardless of social or ethnic background.
- In the realm of health and wellness, medical-conditions, and technology, Türeci and Şahin's work on developing a vaccine for COVID-19 has positioned them as pioneers, demonstrating the role of immigration in driving innovation and progress.
- As the duo receives the prestigious German National Prize, issues of politics, general-news, and science intertwine, highlighting the significance of embracing diversity and unity as a foundation for progress, while inspiring future generations to strive for greatness, regardless of their background.
