Professors Tran Thanh Van, Le Kim Ngoc receive Friendship medals

State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan presented Friendship medals to Vietnamese-French Professors Tran Thanh Van and Le Kim Ngoc at a ceremony held in Hanoi on July 8.

State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan (middle), Professor Tran Thanh Van (right) and Professor Le Kim Ngoc (Credit: VNA)

The scientists were honoured for their contributions to child care and protection, as well as to the country’s science and education over the past 40 years. The couple has run an association in France to raise funds for Vietnamese children since 1970, which became a member of the International Federation of SOS Children’s Villages in 1972. They funded the construction of the Da Lat SOS Children’s Village in 1974 and the Dong Hoi SOS Children’s Village in 2005. They have provided funds to support children at the Da Lat and Hue SOS Children’s Villages since 1990 and 2000 respectively.

In addition, since 2001, the two professors have had the support of Professor Odon Vallet of France’s Sorbonne University in sponsoring the Vallet Scholarship for Vietnamese students, providing approximately 25,000 scholarships, worth VND120 billion (US$5.5 million), to students nationwide.

Since 1993, they have organised ten events named ‘Meeting Vietnam’ with many international scientific workshops on elementary particle physics and astrophysics, creating opportunities for Vietnamese scientists to access advanced science, meet with famous scientists around the world and encourage young Vietnamese scholars’ scientific studies and initiatives.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Van expressed his honour to receive the title from the Party and State, saying that through practical activities in supporting the country’s scientific development and childcare, he and his wife wanted to work to improve Vietnam. He revealed that he will work with the Ministry of Science and Technology to organise a large scientific conference with the participation of regional and international leaders and scientists next year.

Vice State President Doan praised the scientist couples’ contributions, helping the country integrate into the world scientifically and improve human resources. She expressed her hope that they would continue making further contributions to helping Vietnamese children, students and young scientists, and encouraging them to get involved in scientific studies in order to stimulate national development.

(Source: VNA - Translated by NDO)