Vietnamese researchers win prestigious 2017 Newton Prize
Two Vietnamese researchers on November 16 were awarded the 2017 Newton Prize Vietnam for their project “Building a Foundation for Sustainable Development: Networked Societies for the Cities of Tomorrow” that addresses communicating during disasters.
Vietnamese researchers are awarded the 2017 Newton Prize (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Two Vietnamese researchers on November 16 were awarded the2017 Newton Prize Vietnam for their project “Building a Foundation forSustainable Development: Networked Societies for the Cities of Tomorrow” thataddresses communicating during disasters.
Dr.Trung Duong from the School of Electronics at Queen’s University Belfast, theUK and Dr Vo Nguyen-Son from the Faculty of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineering at Duy Tan University, Vietnam received 200,000 GBP prize money fortheir breakthrough – an integrated heterogeneous wireless system capable oftransmitting during extreme weather conditions, such as earthquakes, tsunamisor hurricanes.
Theaward was announced at a ceremony in Hanoi to celebrate the Newton ProgrammeVietnam, a collaborative development programme for science and innovationbetween the governments of UK and Vietnam launched in 2014.
Theprogramme aims to boost socio-economic development via science and innovation inVietnam. It offers funding opportunities for both Vietnamese and UK scientists,researchers and other stakeholders including science managers and innovativebusinesses.
Itfocuses on Vietnam’s prioritised areas – health and life sciences, agriculture,environment and energy, future cities and digital innovation and creativity.Activities focus on research capacity-buildingand fellowships, collaborative research projects on development challenges andtranslation, with training and partnerships to turn research into practicalapplications and development solutions.
Speakingat the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Quoc Khanh saidthe two countries have provided funding for five joint research projects, about2 million GBP from the Newton Programme and 20 billion VND (880,000 USD) fromthe Ministry of Science and Technology, since the programme was launched threeyears ago.
Khanhhoped that under the programme, Vietnam and the UK will step up collaborativeresearch in areas of mutual interest and foster innovative research, helpingstrengthen the two nations’ partnership and cooperation in science andtechnology.-VNA
The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho wants to deepen education cooperation with the UK through overseas study, student and lecturer exchanges, and establishment of research institutes.
VietNEST (Vietnamese Nurturing Education for Science & Traditions) is a mobile app and digital platform for Vietnamese language learning among overseas children.
The networks bring together universities, research institutes and domestic and foreign businesses. Members will work closely in training, research, and technology transfer by sharing curricula, improving faculty capacity, providing access to laboratories and research facilities, and jointly implementing science and technology projects.
The Better Choice Awards (BCA) 2025 is a key highlight in the lead-up to Vietnam Innovation Day that falls on October 1, an annual event expected to attract hundreds of innovative enterprises, research institutions, investment funds, and startups from both Vietnam and abroad.
The new line serves as a critical backup route, strategically complementing existing submarine cables and enhancing the resilience, proactivity, and security of Vietnam’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Vietnam is actively yet cautiously preparing for the construction of its first nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan (now the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa). The resumption of the programme after years of suspension carries considerable significance for the nation’s development in a new era as it strives to gradually reduce and ultimately phase out coal-fired power to realise the Government’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050.
The government leader reaffirmed Vietnam’s goal of achieving self-reliance in the design, manufacturing, and test of necessary semiconductor chips by no later than 2027.
With the launching of its two-tier local administration model, the city is incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to enhance service delivery for citizens and businesses, aligning with the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.
Vietnam has issued many key policies to support semiconductor development, notably the Politburo’s Resolution 57 on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Other initiatives include the Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, and the Human Resources Development Programme for the Semiconductor Industry.
Vietnam is no longer just an emerging blockchain market, it is stepping into a leadership role, with global investors, developers, and experts recognising its growing potential to become a leading hub for digital assets in the region.
Taking place on August 1–2, the event features more than 20,000 attendees and over 200 speakers from Vietnam, the h Korea, Singapore, the UAE, Hong Kong (China) and the US.
Dung directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to revise the national startup scheme, ensuring it clearly defines the scope and content, grounded on strong political and legal foundations, international best practices, and well-reasoned arguments for submission to the Government.
The two-day academic forum, themed “Resilience, Sustainability & Digital Transformation in a Changing World: Perspectives from Southeast Asia”, aims to share interdisciplinary research insights, focusing on adaptive capacity, sustainable development, and digital transformation amid evolving global and regional landscapes.
With such a rapid economic growth, Vietnam must diversify energy sources and nuclear power is a rational choice to ensure the national energy security, said Associate Professor Kei Koga from the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung emphasised that Vietnam has a clear strategy and ambition in this field, and is rapidly emerging as a central hub and key link in the regional and global semiconductor value chains.
According to Cushman & Wakefield’s latest Asia-Pacific Data Centre Investment Landscape report, Vietnam now ranks second in the region for data centre investment returns, with a yield on cost (YoC) of 17.5–18.8%, just behind Singapore’s 21–23%.
Vietnam is taking drastic yet cautious steps in building a culture of nuclear safety and security, with the aim of having its first nuclear power plant operational by the end of 2030 and using this specific energy source effectively and sustainably.
Vietnam’s 5G strategy has been clearly outlined in national digital technology and infrastructure policies. A wide range of solutions is being vigorously implemented to achieve the target of an average internet speed of 100 Mbps by 2025 and full nationwide 5G coverage by 2030.
The visit aimed to assess the new two-tier local government model, preparations for upcoming Party congresses at levels, and implementation of the Politburo’s Conclusion on school construction in border areas.
Under the theme “Breakthrough Era with the Development of Industrial Internet”, the event gathered over 400 delegates, including senior officials, leading Internet experts, and technology engineers from Vietnam and abroad.
Vietnamese researchers are awarded the 2017 Newton Prize (Photo: VNA) 
