Three female scientists receive the L’Oreal award 2022. — VNS Photo Thu Trang

HÀ NỘI — Three Vietnamese female scientists were granted the 2022 L'Oreal-UNESCO awards at a ceremony in Hà Nội on Friday.

They are Associate Professor Lê Minh Hà, head of the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Division of the Institute of Chemistry of Natural Compounds under the Việt Nam Academy of Science and Technology; Associate Professor Phạm Thị Phương Nhi, deputy head of the Agronomy Faculty under the Huế University of Agriculture and Forestry; and Dr Hà Thị Thanh Hương, a lecturer of the Biomedical Engineering Faculty of the International University under the HCM City National University.

Each received a prize of VNĐ150 million (US$6,057) to conduct further research and ensure benefits for the country.

The three scientists were chosen from hundreds of applications across the country. The selection is based on their achievements, the publication of their research in international magazines and the scientist activities that they have taken part in so far.

Professor Châu Văn Minh, chairman of the Việt Nam Academy of Science and Technology, said that to work in difficult and challenging scientific fields, female scientists face more difficulties than their male colleagues.

With a passion for research and discovery, female Vietnamese scientists have overcome many difficulties to excel and achieve research results, he said.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Benjamin Rachow, general director of the L’Oreal Việt Nam, said that the female scientists’ work contributed for the planet’s sustainable development.

He believed that they would make a significant impact in advancing science and become role models for younger generations. 

They would inspire more and more female scientists to vigorously pursuing the scientific path, he said.

The annual L’Oreal – UNESCO for Women in Science Award was launched in Việt Nam in 2009. The programme encourages women’s intelligence, creativity and passion for science.

Over the past 13 years, the programme has recognised 35 scientists from different provinces and cities across the country.

Their studies are in different fields such as rice production, pharmaceuticals, genetics and physics. — VNS