The Kovalevskaia Award 2024 has been presented to two outstanding female individuals for their excellence in scientific research and practical applications

26/03/2025
As part of the program where Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính met with female Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, female Labor Heroes, and female generals on the morning of March 8, the Vietnam Women's Union also organized the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Kovalevskaia Award (1985-2025) and the Kovalevskaia Award 2024 Ceremony.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (middle) with VWU President Nguyen Thi Tuyen (far right); Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Doan, President of the Kovalevskaia Award Committee (far left) presented the 2024 Kovalevskaia Award to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Tan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi My Dung

Since 1985, the Kovalevskaia Award has become a prestigious award in the field of science in Vietnam, encouraging Vietnamese women to strive for advancement and achieve excellence in scientific research and application. The year 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the Kovalevskaia Award in Vietnam, providing an opportunity to reflect on the proud journey of the award. The 40th Anniversary Ceremony of the Award, held at the Government Headquarters, with the presenceof the Prime Minister and other leaders, is a great honor for female scientists and demonstrates the deep concern of the Party and the State for women in the fields of science and technology in particular, and for Vietnamese women in general. The event is a recognition of women's contributions to scientific research and application, particularly in natural sciences—a key field in the knowledge-based economy.

Over 40 years of operation (from 1985 to 2025), the Kovalevskaia Award has been presented to 22 collectives and 57 individuals, recognizing numerous outstanding achievements and significant contributions through scientific and highly practical innovations. This serves as compelling evidence of the relentless dedication, perseverance, and continuous efforts of Vietnamese women in learning and research.

Delegates at the event

Professor, Dr. Nguyễn Thị Doan, Chairwoman of the Kovalevskaia Award Committee in Vietnam, affirmed:

"In scientific research in Vietnam today, almost every field of science has the presence of female scientists. The proportion of women with postgraduate degrees and those awarded the titles of Associate Professor and Professor is showing positive changes. Female intellectuals have contributed numerous research projects that serve as the foundation for policymaking, practical applications in production, and activities that bring socio-economic benefits across various fields.

These pioneering women serve as a driving force for the country's sustainable development. We must create more opportunities for Vietnamese women to actively participate in innovation and digital transformation, thereby contributing to enhancing national competitiveness."

She also takes great pride in seeing that the collectives and individuals who have received the Kovalevskaia Award have continued to excel, contribute, and inspire future generations with their passion for scientific research. She hopes that female intellectuals will continue to receive the attention and support of the Party and the State, enabling them to further dedicate themselves, uphold the nation’s and women's valuable traditions in the renewal process, and strive for the goals of progress and gender equality.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Doan, former Vice State President, Chairwoman of the Kovalevskaia Award Committee delivers a speech at the event

The 2024 Kovalevskaia Award was presented to 02 individuals: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Tan - Director of Institute for Research and Development of Natural Products, Lecturer of the Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Training; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi My Dung - Deputy Director of the Institute for Nanotechnology, National University of Ho Chi Minh City, for their outstanding accomplishments in scientific research and practical applications, making significant contributions to their institutions and fields. Their research has been successfully applied in real-world scenarios, with technology transfers worth billions of VND to businesses in Vietnam.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Tan speaks at the event

 

* By 2025, the Kovalevskaia Award Committee had selected and awareded to 22 collectives and 57 female scientists in the field of natural sciences. These outstanding female scientists were nominated by various ministries and sectors, many of which have had multiple representatives honored with the award.

Notably, the Ministry of Education and Training has received the award 21 times, the Ministry of Health 20 times, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 13 times, and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology 9 times.

The awarded research achievements in natural sciences are diverse, spanning Mathematics, Medicine and Pharmacy, Biology, Agriculture, Physics, Chemistry, and Information Technology. These fields, which have seen numerous award-winning individuals and collectives, are also key sectors driving strong development, significantly contributing to economic growth and improving people's quality of life. Many female scientists have become well-known for their contributions to commercialized scientific products.

Among the prize recipients are distinguished pharmacists, doctors, engineers, and meritorious educators, all highly respected in their respective fields. Notably, 48 of them hold the academic titles of Professor or Associate Professor, accounting for over 84% of the total awardees.

Translated by VWU International Cooperation Division

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