In a significant achievement for Indian innovation, Dr. Sakthi Jaya Sundar, a medical graduate from The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, won second prize at the 8th BRICS Young Innovator Prize. The prestigious event, held in Brasilia, Brazil, from September 15–17, 2025, recognized his pioneering work in artificial intelligence applications for public health services.
Dr. Sakthi was part of an Indian delegation of 11 young scientists and innovators, led by Dr. Nagaboopathy M. from the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The group represented India at the 10th BRICS Young Scientist Forum (YSF) and the accompanying Young Innovator Prize competition. The forum focused on pressing global challenges, including:
Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Science diplomacy in a changing international landscape
Leveraging AI for societal and public health benefits
BRICS is a grouping of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Recently, new members including Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Argentina were admitted in 2023. Established to foster economic, political, and technological cooperation, BRICS also prioritizes innovation and research as tools for sustainable development.
The Young Scientist Forum and Young Innovator Prize are part of BRICS’ efforts to promote youth-led solutions to global challenges, encouraging collaboration and knowledge exchange among emerging scientific talent.
The acronym BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) was first used by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill to describe the four economies that could, if growth were maintained, dominate the global economy by 2050. 1
At the 2023 BRICS summit in South Africa, BRICS announced the admission of Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Argentina as new member states. 1
BRICS brings together eleven major emerging economies of the world, representing around 49.5 % of the global population, around 40% of the global GDP and around 26% of global trade. 2
Dr. Sakthi’s award-winning project demonstrates the potential of AI to enhance public health services, improving accessibility and efficiency. His work highlights Tamil Nadu’s growing role in medical research and underscores India’s emerging leadership in AI-driven healthcare innovations.
References:
1. Kenny, Miles. "BRICS." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Last modified October 1, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/topic/BRICS
2. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Brief on BRICS. New Delhi: Ministry of External Affairs, 2025. https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/BRICS-2025.pdf.
(Rh/Eth/VK/MSM)