The COP28 award received by a graduate of Wadham College was displayed at the Oxford Museum of the History of Science. More information can be found on the MiddleAsianNews website.
MARAL Bayaraa (PhD in Engineering, 2020) was also invited to create a holographic piece that visualizes the results of her scientific research.
During the preparation of her dissertation (Engineering, 2020), Maral Bayaraa, a student of Wadham College, attended the COP28 conference in Dubai, where she was recognized with a prestigious award. She received a prize for the best solution in data science and artificial intelligence from Prototypes for Humanity and the Dubai Future Foundation for her work on a satellite early warning system to prevent accidents related to mining waste. Wadham College posted information about this on its website.
Several years after defending her dissertation, Maral was awarded another prize from Prototypes for Humanity. Now the COP28 certificate is kept in the collection of the Oxford Museum of the History of Science under the guidance of Dr. Tina Eyre. Additionally, she was invited to create a holographic artwork reflecting the results of her research:
“At first glance, the hologram looks like moving light, with green and red shades gliding across it. But upon closer inspection, outlines can be seen: the silhouette of a distant dam where mining waste is stored, supporting the energy of modern civilization. The green color symbolizes safety and harmony, while the red gradually begins to increase — a warning of potential danger predicted by deep learning algorithms trained on InSAR satellite data.”
“...science should go hand in hand with music, history, and art.”
Maral, commenting on the connection between art and science, noted: “I have always been fascinated by culture and its diversity. I am convinced that science should be combined with music, history, and art. Without them, our achievements seem superficial and lifeless.”
After the official ceremony of accepting the certificate at the museum, the celebration continued at a reception at Wadham. Maral, originally from Mongolia, adorned the event with a performance on the morin khuur, a traditional Mongolian instrument often used at celebrations.
After the event, Maral shared her impressions, noting how her melody rose like the wind over the endless steppes, while the rhythm was measured, transporting her song to the monastery courtyards of Mongolia.
Despite the use of advanced technologies in her satellite early warning system, Maral emphasizes the importance of ancient traditions for preserving humanity: “These ancient customs are becoming increasingly significant. They remind us that despite the creation of artificial intelligence and the launch of satellites, these technologies remain mere tools serving our will. Their purpose is to bring good and life; otherwise, they lose their meaning.”
“Museums can be considered modern temples where history, art, and science unite.”
“Perhaps this is why I am so drawn to museums,” Maral added. “They are, in a sense, modern temples where history, art, and science merge into one.”
Recognizing the cultural value of museums, Maral expressed her gratitude for the inclusion of her COP28 certificate in the exhibition of the Oxford Museum of the History of Science and thanked all organizations and individuals who contributed to her research, including:
“Wadham College for your support, which has become my home in Oxford, and for organizing the event in honor of the museum donation. The Royal Commission of 1851, which made my doctoral dissertation possible. Prototypes for Humanity and Dubai Future Foundation for recognizing my work at COP28. The curators of the Oxford Museum of the History of Science for giving me the opportunity to connect art and science in holographic form.”
“I also want to thank the Embassy of Mongolia in the UK, His Excellency Ambassador Enkhzukh Battumur, as well as all the diplomatic teams, the Mongolian community, my supervisors, advisors and mentors, friends, and family.”
