Ta Quang Buu Award bestowed on three scientists for basic research

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam (left) and Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh (right) congratulate three Ta Quang Buu Award 2018 winners

This year’s winners are:

- Tran Dinh 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”; - Pham Van Hung, associate professor at the International University, Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, for his work, “In-vitro digestibility and in-vivo glucose response of native and physically modified rice starches varying amylase contents”; - Do Quoc Tuan from Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam National University-Hanoi, for his work, “Higher dimensional non-linear massive gravity”.

According to Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh, the annual Ta Quang Buu Award has been bestowed for the past five years to honor and encourage scientists who have achieved excellent results in natural sciences and technology research. To be eligible, research must be published in prestigious scientific journals and have potential for application in practice.

Basic research not only provides a foundation for development, but also plays an important role in maintaining a research environment, a vital factor for training excellent researchers and scientists in applied research and technology development. Vietnam has achieved a high ranking in the world in basic research, with many outstanding scientists in mathematics, computer science and information, physics, chemistry, earth sciences and environment, biology and other natural sciences.

Pham Van Hung said every research, whether basic or applied, must stem from love and passion for excellence. In addition, scientists need to be self-reliant in their research for creative freedom. “We hope the government and the Ministry of Science and Technology will further reform their mechanisms and policies in order to create scientific products with high application, as well as create favorable conditions to promote links between scientists and businesses in order to put research results into practical applications,” Hung said.

Minister Chu Ngoc Anh told participants at the ceremony that the government was fully aware of the importance of basic research and of the need to invest in it. This is reflected in the implementation of the national target programs for the development of mathematics and physics by 2020; the program on basic science development in chemistry, life science, earth science, and maritime science in the 2017-2025 period; and programs funded by the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development. In addition, Vietnam has joined the top four of ASEAN’s 10 member nations in terms of scientific centers recognized and sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The two centers will strengthen science, technology and innovation in Vietnam, and participate in research projects in collaboration with the International Basic Science Program and the International Center for Theoretical Physics of UNESCO and other scientific organizations. Moreover, based on the development needs, the Ministry of Science and Technology annually plans to invest in equipment for laboratories of institutes and universities in the field of basic research.

The Ta Quang Buu Award consists of one to three main prizes and one prize for young scientists. The main prize-winning scientists receives a certificate from the Minister of Science and Technology and cash worth VND200 million, while the award for the young scientists is worth VND50 million.

Do Quoc Tuan, 33, winner of the Ta Quang Buu Award, said scientists find joy in making interesting discoveries, sharing them with relatives and colleagues, and being worthy of recognition.