The Impact of Women in Science at the French Alumni Festival
The program was attended by Mr. Olivier Brochet - French Ambassador to Vietnam, Prof. Chau Van Minh - Member of the Party Central Committee, President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Professor. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha - Vice Chairman of VAST, Chairman of USTH Council. On USTH's side, there was the participation of Prof. Dr. Dinh Thi Mai Thanh - Rector of USTH, Associate Professor. Dr. Tran Dinh Phong - Vice Principal and a large number of former French international students, VAST staff, students and USTH staff.
Speaking at the opening of the program, Mr. Olivier Brochet - French Ambassador to Vietnam mentioned the global challenges we are facing such as climate change, energy transition and impacts on global economic issues. topics about health, medicine, and promoted the role of women in science. Women are contributing ~50% of the efforts to solve the above problems.
This is also confirmed by Prof. Acad. Chau Van Minh reaffirmed in his statement. He also shared his pride in the fact that a female scientist working at VAST won the Ta Quang Buu Award in 2024. Since then, Professor. Acad. Chau Van Minh expressed his hope for the contribution of women in scientific development, creating a strong community and a solid "launching pad" for many generations of female students to continue to reach out. At the same time, he also sent his thanks to the French Embassy for always standing by, supporting and accompanying VAST's scientific activities during the past time.
The program also received open sharing from female guests working in many different fields such as: Associate Professor. Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien - Former Minister of Health (2011 - 2019); GS. Dr. Dinh Thi Mai Thanh - Principal of USTH; Associate Professor. Dr. Nguyen Thi Dien - National Research Director, GCRF Center for Health - Vietnam, Vietnam National Academy of Agriculture; Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Tuyet Trinh - Deputy General Director of L'Oréal Vietnam, Director of L'Oréal - UNESCO For women in science program; Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh An - Head of Climate and Energy Department, French Development Agency in Vietnam; and Ms. Laurence Lombard - In charge of the capacity building project in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region, IRD Institute for Development Studies.
Guests presented many projects, ideas and scientific solutions surrounding global challenges such as Climate Change, Energy Transition, Marine Environment and Health. They also clearly demonstrated the important role and contribution of women in efforts to resolve the above difficulties.
Delegates shared and discussed at the program
In addition, USTH students also listened to experiences shared by former international students who received France Excellence scholarships. The France Excellence Scholarship is considered one of the prestigious scholarships awarded annually by the French Embassy to outstanding Vietnamese students studying in France.
Through the stories of the guests, the program gave attendees the opportunity to connect, expand and tighten relationships within the French international student community. Furthermore, the French Alumni Festival with the theme "Women in Science" also spreads many positive emotions, encouraging women to be more confident and stronger on their path to conquer science and contribute to the cause development of society.
Translated by Quoc Khanh
Link to Vietnamese version
