The three scientists receiving the Scholarship include: Associate Professor, Dr. To Thi Mai Huong, University of Science and Technology (USTH), Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Kim Ngoc, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) and Dr. Le Linh, currently a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University (USA).
Overview of the Ceremony.
L'Oréal - UNESCO: Working together to help women lead the future of science
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Wagih Ahmed, General Director of L'Oréal Vietnam, emphasized that the world needs science and science needs women.
Since 2009, L'Oreal Vietnam has persistently carried out its mission of honoring and supporting talented female scientists across Vietnam who are working day and night to solve humanity's greatest challenges through a national scholarship program and successfully nominated three female scientists for prestigious international awards.
The program has become a living proof that when women are given opportunities and support, they can achieve extraordinary achievements and create positive changes for society. They are an endless source of inspiration for generations of young scientists to continue pursuing the challenging but also extremely glorious path of science.
Mr. Wagih Ahmed, General Director of L'Oréal Vietnam, spoke at the Ceremony.
Mr. Jonathan Baker, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, affirmed: "For more than a decade in Vietnam, UNESCO and L'Oréal have always accompanied each other, based on a common belief: Science is the common language of humanity, an important driving force for progress, and science can only reach its full potential when women are equally represented and empowered to lead. Supporting women in science is not a symbolic act, but an investment in our common future."
Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, spoke at the Ceremony.
In his role as Chairman of the Jury, Professor Chau Van Minh, President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, said that the selection process always requires special care. Each topic has its own novelty, applicability and potential for great social impact.
The Council, consisting of leading scientists in many fields, has worked seriously and objectively, evaluating comprehensively from the scientific value to the ability to inspire each candidate. It is this thoroughness that helps the program continuously find and support real talents, nurturing the next generation of female scientists.
According to Professor Chau Van Minh, each scholarship is not only a recognition or financial support but also a trust that is given, adding motivation for female scientists to continue to steadfastly pursue the path of research, a path that requires perseverance, sacrifice and great passion.
Prof. Dr. Chau Van Minh, President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and Chairman of the Jury Council spoke at the Ceremony.
Three scientific works - Three solutions for a sustainable future
Associate Professor, Dr. To Thi Mai Huong: The solution for low-emission agriculture
Climate change requires a change in agriculture. Associate Professor To Thi Mai Huong pursues a groundbreaking approach: Using precise gene editing technology (prime editing) to increase the expression of certain genes by inserting short transcriptional enhancers (STEs). The goal is to optimize carbon allocation in rice plants and reduce root exudates. This will positively impact the root microbiome, helping to reduce methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas formed under anaerobic conditions in rice fields. This is an important step towards creating elite rice varieties: High yielding but still "light" on greenhouse gases.
Mr. Wagih Ahmed, General Director of L'Oréal VietNam and Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam, presented the scholarship certificate to Associate Professor, Dr. To Thi Mai Huong.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Kim Ngoc: The solution for energy-saving AI
The explosion of AI coupled with its huge thirst for electricity has motivated Associate Professor Dr. Pham Kim Ngoc to focus on researching In-Memory Computing architecture to overcome the von Neumann bottleneck. By developing memristors, devices capable of storing analog states simulating synapses, especially self-rectifying memristors (SRMs), her research covers everything from materials to components and microcircuits. The goal is highly integrated AI hardware systems, efficient parallel processing and energy saving, getting closer to the learning mechanism of the human brain.
Mr. Wagih Ahmed, General Director of L'Oréal VietNam and Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam, presented the scholarship certificate to Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Kim Ngoc.
Dr. Le Linh: The solution to the energy storage problem
Dr. Le Linh pursues the promising research of Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries with the goal of energy density of about 350 Wh/kg and long cycle life. The project designs multifunctional liquid electrolytes, co-solvents and additives to limit polysulfide migration, stabilize metallic lithium, thereby increasing capacity and cycling durability. This combined experimental and simulation research helps clarify the mechanism of performance improvement, while optimizing electrodes and cell structure, bringing Li-S technology closer to mass application.
Mr. Wagih Ahmed, General Director of L'Oréal Vietnam and Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam presented the scholarship certificate to Dr. Le Linh.
The 2025 Scholarship Award Ceremony is not only a recognition but also opens a new chapter in the research journey of the honored scientists. From the rice fields with the challenge of greenhouse gas emissions, to the lab where super energy-efficient AI chips are being explored, or Li-S battery cells are gradually being perfected, the intelligence and passion of female scientists are contributing to shaping a more sustainable future for Vietnam and the world.
Delegates take souvenir photos.
The National Scholarship Award Ceremony is part of the prestigious global science award L'Oréal - UNESCO For Women in Science, founded by L'Oréal and UNESCO in 1989.
To date, the award has honored more than 4,700 scientists around the world, including seven female scientists who have gone on to receive Nobel Prizes in science.
In Vietnam, 41 female scientists have been honored with a series of research projects reaching international standards.
Source: https://mst.gov.vn/ba-nha-khoa-hoc-nu-viet-nam-nhan-hoc-bong-loreal-unesco-197251201210449023.htm
![[Photo] Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives President of Cuba's Latin American News Agency](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvphoto.vietnam.vn%2Fthumb%2F1200x675%2Fvietnam%2Fresource%2FIMAGE%2F2025%2F12%2F01%2F1764569497815_dsc-2890-jpg.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Comment (0)