Female Institute Director and the journey of connecting Vietnam

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga, President of IHP Vietnam and IHP Asia Pacific region, is the Chair of the 32nd IHP Regional Conference on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of IHP and the 60th anniversary of the UNESCO Water Program.

Female Director and the journey of connecting Vietnam - Australia science - 1

Let's talk with Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Nga, Director of the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment about her journey to win an Australian Government scholarship and apply knowledge to the process of building her homeland, contributing to promoting the development of specialized cooperation between Vietnam and Australia.

- In the 2000s, learning English was quite difficult, the concept of "going abroad" was still very strange, how did you start to get a scholarship and study abroad in Australia?

I received an Australian Government scholarship, then called AusAID, in 2000, the first period of this scholarship for all subjects. In those years, there were very few scholarship opportunities to study abroad in developed countries, after the scholarships to socialist countries ended.

AusAid scholarships are one of the first and long-term scholarships for Vietnamese students to have the opportunity to study in countries with advanced science.

At that time, the most difficult thing was to take the exam and meet the English proficiency requirements when we hardly knew about international certificates like IELTS, TOEFL, and there weren't as many English teaching centers as there are now.

The English entrance exam was conducted using the PSET test, after which those who passed were sent to Hanoi University of Foreign Languages (now Hanoi University) to be taught by Australian lecturers and trained for the IELTS test according to standards.

It was the first time I had a foreign teacher teach me English in a standard way, especially essay writing skills.

Receiving a scholarship is truly a great happiness, because this is an opportunity to study abroad in an English-speaking country, to access advanced science, with many outstanding conditions to improve one's knowledge.

University of Adelaide campus 2000-2001.

- How has studying in Australia changed your current job?

I was awarded a scholarship to study a Master's degree in atmospheric physics at the University of Adelaide, Australia - a major that matched my background in meteorology. During this time, I was able to study advanced mathematics, physics, and especially access new technology in atmospheric research. That is the major in remote sensing.

It must be said that these were the first foundations for my research directions for my PhD thesis in Japan, as well as my later research up to now.

Meeting Adelaide alumni with the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam and the Governor of South Australia during the Governor's visit to Vietnam.

- As one of the outstanding candidates who just won the 2025 Australian Alumni Awards, what inspiration does this achievement bring to you in your next work?

It is an honour to receive the 2025 Alumni Awards this year, an award long known within the Australian alumni community and presented personally by the Ambassador.

This is not only a recognition of individual achievements, but also a recognition of Alumni's contributions to the overall development of Vietnam.

Therefore, I think that is a great inspiration for promoting Alumni activities, as well as spreading the noble values that international students aim for, which is to contribute more to the overall development of the country.

In addition to her role as Director of the Institute of Hydrometeorology and Climate Change under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga is also Chair of the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme for Asia-Pacific (2025-2027) and the Vietnam National Committee for the Intergovernmental Hydrometeorological Programme.
Associate Professor Nga is a leading expert in climate change impact assessment and national adaptation planning. Her work informs Vietnam’s national climate change scenarios as well as policies for disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
Recognized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology for her contributions, Associate Professor Nga actively promotes international cooperation with organizations in Australia, the UK, South Korea, Belgium and Japan. She is playing an important role in shaping environmental resilience in Vietnam.

- In your opinion, what will Australian alumni contribute to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries?

For me personally, as for any Australian alumni, it is both an honor and a responsibility to contribute to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

As the Director of the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Institute has advised the Ministry on cooperation proposals with Australian partners on environmental protection and climate change response, including: Building Climate Change Scenarios, assessing climate risks, adapting to climate change based on nature; Assessing, analyzing and forecasting the impact of policies and actions to respond to climate change on economic development; Cooperation on Carbon credits and markets; Sustainable urban areas.

In addition, the Institute also actively participates in scientific and cooperative seminars and forums jointly organized by the two sides, and seeks Australian partners to propose cooperation in research on the environment and climate change.

Ms. Nga attended the National Workshop: "Unlimited power and unpredictable challenges of artificial intelligence - Policy impacts and responses".

- Living and studying in beautiful Australia, you must have had beautiful and happy memories?

The time studying in Australia was a memorable and happy time for me.

It is where I can devote my time completely to studying, gain more life experiences, and immerse myself in the vast natural scenery of Australia.

During that time, there were many memories kept, but there is a story I want to share: when we came to study in 2000, information about Vietnam for Australian people was almost zero. When I said I came from Vietnam, someone asked me, "Is your country still at war?", it was surprising because at that time Vietnam had been unified for 25 years.

And just 25 years later, Vietnam and Australia have now become comprehensive strategic partners. Obviously, information is important, and more importantly, Vietnam's position is now very different in the international arena.

- What is your advice to students who want to study abroad in Australia in the future?

With my own experience, studying and working in both Vietnamese and international environments, especially in Australia, I have advice for young people to take advantage of the best learning conditions at Australian universities if possible, to improve their knowledge.

Choosing useful subjects to equip and prepare for your future career journey, but don't forget to enjoy the natural beauty of Australia, spend your vacation time visiting many places, to save many beautiful pictures and memories with Vietnamese and international friends.

Everyone will have their own way to choose their own path to success. But more importantly, over the years, we can become better versions of ourselves.

In my experience, the important thing is that wherever you are and whatever you do, you try to do your best with your ability, learning from the smallest things to accumulate into bigger things.

And above all, discipline yourself so as not to waste time on things that are not really necessary.

Thank you!

Bao Chau

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/nu-vien-truong-va-hanh-trinh-ket-noi-khoa-hoc-viet-nam-australia-ar987769.html