Opportunities for development in your hometown
In early 2026, Hanoi University of Science and Technology received good news about two scientists being honored at the Asia Innovation Award 2025, recognizing their achievements in scientific and technological research and development with social applications and contributions to the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
When asked about the award, Dr. Vu Thi Tan, Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Life Sciences (one of the two scientists who won this award), shared: “Although I had a stable job in Russia, eight years ago I decided to return to Vietnam. Since returning home, what I have gained the most is 'opportunity, effort, and development'… For me, it was the right decision, and if you try hard and want to develop, opportunities will always be there…”.
Having graduated with a specialization in Chemistry from the University of Tula and conducted research on materials science, Ms. Vu Thi Tan was always deeply concerned with changing molecular structures to create new materials that could closely connect microscopic structures with macroscopic applications in life. Driven by this passion, she continued her studies, earning a Master's and then a PhD at the University of Oviedo, Spain, specializing in the fabrication, measurement, and verification of materials properties. Afterward, she worked at the ArcelorMittal steel group, focusing on surface treatment and materials science.
Throughout her more than 10 scientific works, Dr. Vu Thi Tan is most proud of her work on transforming waste graphite and carbon by-products from the metallurgical industry into graphene and high-performance graphene-based materials. This group of works and inventions significantly contributed to her receiving the Encouragement Award at the Asian Innovation Awards. Graphene is an ultra-thin, two-dimensional material with superior mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity, usually produced from pure graphite at a high cost. Meanwhile, the metallurgical industry generates a large amount of waste graphite, which is both costly to process and causes environmental pollution.
Dr. Vu Thi Tan's research team has developed chemical methods to convert this waste stream into graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and other high-value functional carbon materials, which have been patented in the US, Canada, Europe, Brazil, South Africa, and other countries, opening up the possibility of commercializing graphene in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.
The most outstanding aspect of the research is the transformation of waste, an environmental burden, into useful materials and strategic resources, solving sustainability problems and unlocking technological competitiveness…
In addition, Dr. Vu Thi Tan has numerous international publications on photocatalysis, metal oxide nanoparticles, and graphene/metal oxide hybrid materials for environmental and energy treatment. Her research has appeared in a series of prestigious journals such as Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, ChemNanoMat, Journal of Crystal Growth, Optical Materials, etc.
Inspiring students
At Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Dr. Vu Thi Tan teaches courses on inorganic materials, materials chemistry, water treatment, and inorganic coatings, and also participates in training on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Vu Thi Tan shared: “The self-learning and problem-solving abilities of students today are different from before. Many students in their first and second years haven't yet determined their direction. This worries me. Therefore, before teaching knowledge, I choose to inspire and tell stories to help students find a certain motivation to pursue their scientific careers. I persistently support students in developing ideas, designing, experimenting, analyzing data, and completing scientific reports with an international approach…”
During her eight years of teaching, Dr. Vu Thi Tan was most impressed by a student from the K58 cohort whom she supervised upon their return to Vietnam. “The student shared that after graduation, they wanted to find a job to earn a living. After hearing me share their desire to explore the world and new horizons, that student, who initially only thought about getting a job after graduation, worked hard to earn scholarships for master's and doctoral studies abroad. We stayed in regular contact, so when I learned that they hadn't found their direction while pursuing their doctorate in Canada, I encouraged them to seek opportunities for development instead of forcing themselves to do something they didn't like. And so, that student chose to return to Vietnam and successfully developed the materials sector for Vingroup …,” Dr. Vu Thi Tan expressed.
According to Dr. Vu Thi Tan, the path forward isn't always just about studying; all plans can be redirected if opportunities are found and efforts are made continuously. For students, I always consider them friends and am ready to inspire them to open up and share.
Dr. Vu Thi Tan's way of thinking and working has yielded "sweet fruits" for the students of the Polytechnic University over the past eight years. What she wants to convey to students and young scientists who aspire to conquer knowledge is that once you have determined your path, persevere, and success will come.
Perhaps the story of "going away to return" is no longer new as Vietnam's space for scientific and technological development continues to expand. Dr. Vu Thi Tan is writing a story about persistent efforts to become a major driving force in helping the country enter a new era.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/giao-duc/tro-ve-de-vun-dap-tuong-lai-20260219090119729.htm
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