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27 February 2012

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

For more than a quarter of a century EMRF and TRFT have conferred the European Magnetic Resonance Award to honor those scientists who have made a major contribution to magnetic resonance imaging in medicine on a European scale. More than thirty scientists received this Award and it became the most prestigious distinction in its field in Europe.

During the early years, there was one laureate per year, later it became a bi-annual prize: one in basic, one in medical sciences, jointly awarded – to do justice to the multidisciplinary research in the field. Meanwhile we see the third generation of scientists and users since the invention of MR imaging. In these fast moving and rapidly changing times, a quarter of a century is a long period for a prize still to exist.

As times passed, it became clear that the single outstanding scientist has become a rarity. Science and academia require teams – and magnetic resonance has evolved from a specialists' branch of study to an all-embracing and comprehensive field involving disciplines far beyond chemistry, physics, and medicine: archeology, food sciences, linguistics to name but a few.

Thus we have pragmatically reviewed the award during the last four years, and decided to adjust, adapt, and open it. It will no longer be bestowed upon single laureates, but on one or several academic groups that serve as an example. Their members must have worked together and succeeded in reaching their goals over a period of at least eight years – and thus created “nurseries” of scientific eminence, small “pépinières”, or “geistige Pflanzschulen”.

The nomination of the laureates of the original Award was performed by a Nominating Committee which in 2010 consisted of 70 members from 15 European countries. This Committee will be replaced by a permanent Prize Committee whose members are chosen from the list of former laureates and other academicians if deemed necessary. The members will contribute to the best of their abilities independent of commercial or political influence. The selection and nomination process is confidential. There is no prescribed time schedule, but once a year an Exemplary Group in Science and Academic Life should be chosen and be awarded the Pro Academia Prize. The Round Table Foundation has agreed to provide the necessary funds.

Το αλσοσ τησ Ακαδημειασ: In Greek, "alsos" is a grove, a bosk. The grove we talk about was a small stand of olive trees dedicated to the goddess Athena just outside the limits of ancient Athens. It was called “the grove of the Academy” and its “academic” use as an institution of mental exchange and learning traces back to the Greek philosopher Plato. It is the leitmotif of the Prize.

In today’s competitive, hectic, often erratic, short-lived, and money-oriented science and research, places of quiet discussion free from strife are rare, and – though generally preached – broad-based interdisciplinary exchange usually remains minor-league.

The award itself is a crystal owl, symbolizing Athena, the goddess of crafts and skilled peacetime pursuits. She personifies wisdom and righteousness. Thus, the award stands for scientific and academic perseverance, knowledge, and exchange. These virtues and successes should be lauded.

The crystal owl as representation of the Prize, and small olive trees and certificates for all group members will be the sole gifts.

An award is also meant as an incentive, a motivation for young scientists to pursue new avenues of research and teaching. We want them to go on and follow an honest and ethical academic way.

We will keep you informed of the progress in this endeavor. If you have any comments, please do not hesitate to share them with us.

Dr. Peter A. Rinck Professor of Diagnostic Imaging President of the Council, TRTF	Dr. Robert N. Muller Professor of Chemistry Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, UMONS