2023 NEC C&C Prize for Python

Recently, the NEC C&C Foundation announced that the 2023 C&C Prize will be awarded to two groups of researchers, of which one of them for programming language Python. This group is represented by Guido van Rossum, who started developing Python at CWI in 1989. He will receive a certificate, a plaque and ten million yen, which is almost 63,000 euro. The prize ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 29 November in Tokyo.

Supporting society

The jury explained that the prize for this group was awarded “for developing the Python programming language and promoting its use as open-source software which is used in various fields, such as web applications, data science, and artificial intelligence that support modern society".

The other group won the prize for their contributions to creating a superconducting qubit and developing quantum information technologies, represented by Yasunobu Nakamura and Tsai Jaw-Shen.

The C&C Prize was established in 1985 by the NEC C&C Foundation and is awarded to distinguished persons in recognition of outstanding contributions to R&D activities and pioneering work related to the integration of computers and communications technologies and the social impact of developments in these fields.

About The NEC C&C Foundation

The NEC C&C Foundation is a non-profit organization established in March 1985 to foster further growth in the electronics industry by encouraging and supporting research and development activities and pioneering work related to the integration of computers and communications technologies, and ultimately to contribute to the world economy and the enrichment of human life. The Foundation is funded by NEC Corporation.

2023 C&C Jury Prize Citation

From the C&C website: "For Major Contributions to the Development of the Python Programming Language and its Use as Open-source Software.

Achievement
The rapid evolution of digital technologies such as computing, 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and data science is driving a digital transformation (DX) and the ongoing creation of new services and business models, most of which are implemented by software. Softwarization makes the development of complex processes and tasks more efficient, enables developers to keep up with rapidly evolving digital technologies, shortens development times from brainstorming to implementation, and facilitates flexible system development according to needs".
Guido van Rossum, known as the father of the Python programming language, led the Python development community and was heavily involved in the design and development of the language. His vision was to make Python into a simple and easy-to-read language capable of efficient programming. Today, Python is supported by a wide range of programmers from beginners to specialists for use in a variety of applications and services.
Guido van Rossum's vision, leadership, and contributions to the Python community have had a major impact on the world of programming. Thanks to its ecosystem (peripheral environment) of abundant libraries, frameworks, and tools, Python is being used in a wide variety of software applications that are contributing greatly to the development of society. In view of the great contributions that he has made to the development of the Python programming language and its use as open-source software, Guido van Rossum is a deserving recipient of the C&C Prize.
For additional information, please visit The NEC C&C Foundation website at: https://www.candc.or.jp/en/index.html".

The award ceremony takes place on 29 November from 15:00 in Tokyo and will be streamed live to those who apply at the Foundation’s website.

More information

• NEC C&C Foundation Awards 2023 C&C Prize
• Registration for the online part of the award ceremony on 29 November in Tokyo
• Read the earlier CWI news item (2019) on Guido van Rossum receiving the Dijkstra Fellowship from CWI for his work on Python