Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong officially took over the position of Director of the French-Vietnamese International Research Laboratory on Mathematics and Applications (IRL-FVMA)
Vice President of VAST, Prof. Dr. Le Truong Giang presented flowers to congratulate Associate Professor Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong on being appointed to the position of Director of IRL- FVMA
The Appointment Decision Awarding Ceremony between Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Vietnam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics (VIASM) took place at Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology on August 28, 2025.
Attending were: Prof. Le Truong Giang - Vice President of VAST, Dr. Le Quynh Lien - Head of International Cooperation Department; Prof. Ngo Bao Chau - Director of VIASM, Prof. Le Minh Ha - Deputy Director of IRL France - Vietnam on Mathematics and Applications - Executive Director of VIASM; Prof. Marc Peigné - Deputy Director of IRL France - Vietnam on Mathematics and Applications; Prof. Frédéric Hérau - Deputy Director in charge of science - National Institute for Mathematics and Education Interaction (INSMI, CNRS), along with leaders of some units under the Academy, mathematicians from the Institute of Mathematics - VAST.
Take a souvenir photo to congratulate the new Director
At the ceremony, Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong officially took over the position of Director of IRL-FVMA from Professor Ngo Bao Chau. With solid professional experience and strategic vision as Director of the International Center for Mathematics Research and Training (UNESCO), Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong is expected to lead IRL to achieve breakthrough achievements in the coming time.
The model of “Vietnam-France International Laboratory for Mathematics and its Applications” is considered the highest cooperation model between VAST, CNRS and VIASM. The objective of the laboratory is to promote mathematical cooperation between Vietnam and France to support research exchanges in PhD and Master cooperation programs as well as conference activities, courses and summer schools.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Le Truong Giang sent his congratulations to Associate Professor Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong. He said that this is the first cooperation model implemented within the framework of cooperation between VAST and CNRS. Notably, the new Director of IRL is a female mathematician of VAST - also one of the few female mathematicians in Vietnam who have won medals at the prestigious International Mathematical Olympiad. He believes that with her excellent scientific background and international cooperation experience, in her new position, Associate Professor Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong will lead IRL to many successes, contributing to promoting Vietnam - France scientific cooperation and enhancing the position of Vietnamese science in the international arena.
On behalf of CNRS, Prof. Frédéric Hérau thanked Prof. Ngo Bao Chau for his important contributions to the IRL-FVMA International Research Laboratory over the years. The establishment of this research laboratory is part of the strategy to promote mathematical cooperation between France and Vietnam, on the basis of the friendship between Vietnam and France, along with the traditional and long-term scientific cooperation between VAST and CNRS. He also added that the current IRL cooperation form is the highest level of cooperation among the five forms of international cooperation of CNRS. This is the only model that allows CNRS researchers to work in Vietnam under similar conditions as when they work at CNRS in France, while also welcoming Vietnamese scientists to work at French universities, thereby promoting long-term research and training cooperation. Prof. Frédéric Hérau expressed his joy in welcoming Assoc.Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong, who will continue the work that Professor Ngo Bao Chau and CNRS have built, and at the same time implement new plans for the further development of IRL-FVMA.
In response, Professor Ngo Bao Chau shared: Franco-Vietnamese mathematical cooperation, with the opportunity to study and research in France, and the opening of international graduate programs in mathematics at the Institute of Mathematics, has played a key role in attracting and training the young generation of mathematicians. The professor also emphasized the role of Vietnamese mathematicians abroad since the 1960s such as Frédéric Pham, Nguyen Thanh Van, Le Dung Trang, and then in the country such as Ha Huy Khoi, Ngo Viet Trung and many other colleagues, who have contributed to maintaining and developing the tradition of cooperation with France for many decades. He hopes and believes that this valuable tradition will continue to be strongly promoted by Associate Professor Phan Thi Ha Duong in the coming time.
Also at the Ceremony, Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong - the new Director of the French - Vietnamese International Research Laboratory on Mathematics and Applications shared her feelings in her new position. The Associate Professor felt honored to have received the trust and confidence to be elected to the position of Director. This is a great responsibility in maintaining the activities and developing the Laboratory, including both opportunities and challenges. The opportunity is the cooperation between France and Vietnam - a long-term cooperation in many aspects, especially in Mathematics - a deep, close, harmonious cooperation with many similarities. France and Vietnam are both countries whose people love and respect Mathematics. That can be seen through the image of Professor Ngo Bao Chau and Professor Cédric Villani both receiving the Fields Medal and then making many contributions to Mathematics and science in their countries.
Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong - new Director of the French-Vietnamese International Research Center on Mathematics and Applications shares after being appointed to her new position
Mathematics has always been an important science in the scientific life of each country and the passion of many young people. The second opportunity is the cooperation between French and Vietnamese Mathematics. Most of the great Vietnamese mathematicians have cooperated with France. From there, the PICS program, the LIA ForMath program were built, and in 2023, the IRL - FVMA was officially born. Currently, there are 14 IRLs in Mathematics in the world, Vietnam is honored to be one of them.
Over the years, the research and training systems of Vietnam and the French Republic have always maintained a close connection with each other. Through many historical ups and downs, scientists of the two countries have gradually connected and expanded bilateral cooperation programs. IRL has operated effectively, promoting research cooperation, in-depth training and organizing many international conferences. VAST hopes that the Research Department will continue to promote this strength, while promoting the connection of mathematics with important scientific and technological problems of Vietnam, France and the international community.
Some other pictures at the Ceremony
Prof. Dr. Le Truong Giang - Vice President of VAST at the ceremony
Prof. Marc Peigné - Deputy Director of the French-Vietnamese IRL on Mathematics and Applications
Prof. Frédéric Hérau - Deputy Director in charge of science - National Institute for Interactive Mathematics and Education (INSMI, CNRS)
Prof. Dr. Doan Thai Son - Director of the Institute of Mathematics spoke at the ceremony
Professor Ngo Bao Chau shared at the ceremony
Delegates attending congratulated Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong - new Director
Translated by Quoc Khanh
Link to Vietnamese version
