Assoc. Prof. Dr Tran Van Khanh (left) and Assoc. Prof. Dr Dinh Thi Bich Lan, the two winners of the Kovalevskaya Award 2017 (Source: vietnamnet.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Two outstanding female scientists have beenhonoured with the Kovalevskaya Award 2017 during a ceremony held in Hanoi onMarch 6.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Tran Van Khanh is the first Vietnamese scientist who hadsuccessfully developed a gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)study that supports prenatal diagnosis of DMD to prevent genetic disorders.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Dinh Thi Bich Lan is the author of many highly applicable projectsand products, including antigens of some diseases in livestock and vaccines ofnew generation.
Talking to female scientists and students at the ceremony, former VicePresident Nguyen Thi Doan, who is President of the Kovalevskaya Vietnam AwardCommittee, said that the success of Khanh and Lan showed the significant roleof universities in guiding and supporting students in undertaking theirscientific research.
She stressed that training facilities should create the best study andresearch environment for students by investing more in equipment and labs to meetthe demand of students, while giving equal chances to and encourage femalestudents to engage in scientific research.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said that the Government isworking to improve the business environment and boost startups with a goal of 1million enterprises.
He underlined the need for the country to strengthen technologycapacity, which means more inventions and more scientists. He called onstudents to work harder and dare to think and do, thus helping spur thecountry’s growth.
The annual KovalevskayaAward honours the most outstanding female scientists who have gained remarkableachievements in the research and application of science. From 1985-2016, 18collectives and 45 individuals won the awards.
The prestigious prize is named after the Russian female mathematician,Sofia Kovalevskaya, and is awarded by the fund of the same name. The fundoperates in eight countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
At the ceremony, the organization board also announced 12 scientificprojects by female students that will be funded by the Vietnam Women’s Union.-VNA
Two women with outstanding achievements in natural sciences will be presented with the Kovaleskaya Prize on March 8 as one of Vietnam’s practical celebrations of International Women’s Day.
The individual prize of the annual Kovalevskaya awards 2016 went to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Kim Phi Phung, a lecturer from the University of Natural Science under the Vietnam National University – HCM City.
A gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) study by Assoc. Prof. Dr Tran Van Khanh, which supports prenatal diagnosis of DMD to prevent genetic disorders, has earned the scientist the Kovalevskaya Award 2017.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Tran Van Khanh (left) and Assoc. Prof. Dr Dinh Thi Bich Lan, the two winners of the Kovalevskaya Award 2017 (Source: vietnamnet.vn) 
