HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Science and Technology presented the Tạ Quang Bửu Awards 2018 to three scientists yesterday for their outstanding works on physics and agricultural biology.

The winners are Trần Đình Phong, director of the Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, for his work in physics titled, “Coordination of polymer structure and revisited hydrogen evolution catalytic mechanism for amorphous molybdenum sulfide”; Phạm Văn Hùng, associate professor at the International University, National University HCM City, for his work, “In-vitro digestibility and in-vivo glucose response of native and physically modified rice starches varying amylase contents”; and Đỗ Quốc Tuấn from Hà Nội University of Science, Việt Nam National University Hà Nội, for his work, “Higher dimensional non-linear massive gravity”.

Nguyễn Đức Chiến, vice president of the award council, said the award organisers received 54 entries this year, which were all high-quality scientific researches published in prestigious international journals.

“The National Science and Technology Development Fund plays an important role in attracting young scientists who were trained overseas and have returned to work in domestic universities,” Chiến said, adding that their return has helped improve tertiary education in the country.

Phong said his work was part of on-going studies aimed at creating artificial leaves that could generate clean energy H2 from solar energy and sea water.

“This is a dream worth pursuing for me and my colleagues,” Phong said, adding that researchers might be greatly ambitious for the practical application of their works but were always prepared to be unsuccessful.

“However, it is also possible that we may be led to another discovery or surprise,” he said.  

“Even if serious research fails to bring about outstanding technology innovations, it can still help nurture a critical and creative mind to solve problems,” he added.

The award ceremony marked Việt Nam’s Science and Technology Day on May 18 and late President Hồ Chí Minh’s birthday on May 19.

Launched by the ministry in 2014, the award is named after famous Vietnamese scientist, Tạ Quảng Bửu (1910-1986). 

It honours individuals and groups who have carried out exceptional scientific research and published exemplary scientific research papers in prestigious international journals.

Until now, 227 scientists have applied for the award, of which 14 have received the honour. — VNS